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How to say 'Incompetent' in Japanese | 無能

Wondering how to say 'Incompetent' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Incompetent is 'Munou', written as 無能 in Japanese.'Incompetent' in hiragana is むのう.

    word

    無能

    Meaning

    Incompetent

    Reading

    むのう

    munou

    Kanji

    無Nothing 能Ability

    Explanation

    The Japanese adjectival noun '無能 (むのう)' means 'incompetent'. It is used to describe someone who lacks the necessary skills, ability, or capacity to perform a task or fulfill a role effectively. This term carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in critical or evaluative contexts. For example: He is incompetent at his job「彼は仕事で無能だ」(かれはしごとでむのうだ). The manager was deemed incompetent「そのマネージャーは無能だと見なされた」(そのマネージャーはむのうだとみなされた). Note that '無能' is typically used to describe people rather than objects or situations.

    Part Of Speech

    adjectival noun

    Kanji JLPT

    Unknown

    Kanji Grade

    5

    Frequency

    5530

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 無能

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    無

    Meaning

    Nothing

  • kanji

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

Words Related to 無能 Through the Kanji 無

These 36 Words contain the Kanji 無 as well.

  • word

    無い

    Meaning

    Non existent

  • word

    無

    Meaning

    Without

  • word

    無理

    Meaning

    Impossible

  • word

    無くなる

    Meaning

    Disappear, Runout

  • word

    無し

    Meaning

    Without

  • word

    無料

    Meaning

    Free

  • word

    仕方無い

    Meaning

    Helpless

  • word

    無論

    Meaning

    Of course, Naturally

  • word

    無くす

    Meaning

    Lose

  • word

    有無

    Meaning

    Existence, Non existence

  • word

    御無沙汰

    Meaning

    Neglect

  • word

    無事

    Meaning

    Safely

  • word

    無口

    Meaning

    Quiet

  • word

    間も無く

    Meaning

    Soon

  • word

    無茶

    Meaning

    Reckless

  • word

    無用

    Meaning

    Useless, Unnecessary

  • word

    無知

    Meaning

    Ignorance

  • word

    無言

    Meaning

    Silence

  • word

    無生物

    Meaning

    Inanimate

  • word

    無限

    Meaning

    Infinite

  • word

    無制限

    Meaning

    Unlimited

  • word

    無数

    Meaning

    Countless

  • word

    無色

    Meaning

    Colorless

  • word

    無効

    Meaning

    Invalid

  • word

    無意味

    Meaning

    Meaningless

  • word

    無意識

    Meaning

    Unconsciously

  • word

    無関心

    Meaning

    Indifferent

  • word

    無関係

    Meaning

    Unrelated

  • word

    無責任

    Meaning

    Irresponsible

  • word

    無害

    Meaning

    Harmless

  • word

    無理矢理

    Meaning

    Forcibly

  • word

    無線

    Meaning

    Wireless

  • word

    無視

    Meaning

    Ignore

  • word

    無駄

    Meaning

    Waste

  • word

    無駄遣い

    Meaning

    Waste

  • word

    無邪気

    Meaning

    Innocent

Words Related to 無能 Through the Kanji 能

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 能 as well.

  • word

    可能

    Meaning

    Possible

  • word

    能力

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    機能

    Meaning

    Function

  • word

    芸能

    Meaning

    Entertainment

  • word

    才能

    Meaning

    Talent

  • word

    性能

    Meaning

    Performance

  • word

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    本能

    Meaning

    Instinct

  • word

    有能

    Meaning

    Capable

  • word

    知能

    Meaning

    Intelligence

  • word

    不可能

    Meaning

    Impossible

  • word

    能率

    Meaning

    Efficiency

  • word

    放射能

    Meaning

    Radiation

Learn the Word 無能

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Munou' (無能) mean?

'Munou' means 'Incompetent' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.