unable
adjective [not before noun] (rather formal)Word Family
- able adjective (≠ unable)
- ably adverb
- ability noun (≠ inability)
- disabled adjective
- disability noun
- unable to do something
not having the skill, strength, time, knowledge, etc. to do something 没有所需技能（或力量、时间、知识等）；未能；无法 a former soldier who has been unable to find work since the war ended 战争结束后一直找不到工作的退伍军人 They have been unable or unwilling to resolve the conflict. 他们无法或不愿解决冲突。 I was unable to attend the meeting, but sent my apologies. 我不能参加会议，但向您道歉。 Unable to get a taxi, she heads for the bus stop. 由于找不到出租车，她向公共汽车站走去。 His family were unable to afford the cost of the school uniform. 他的家人负担不起校服的费用。 The company is losing money and is unable to pay its bills. 该公司正在亏损，无力支付账单。 Ageing power stations may be unable to cope with ever-increasing demand for electricity. 老化的发电站可能无法满足日益增长的电力需求。 He lay there, unable to move. 他躺在那里动弹不得。 I tried to contact him but was unable to. 我试着跟他联系，却没联系上。 I am afraid I am unable to provide the information you have requested. 恐怕我不能提供你所要求的信息。 She was unable to hide her excitement. 她无法掩饰自己的激动。 Let us know if you’re unable to come. 如果你不能来，请告诉我们。 The Minister seems unable to grasp this simple point. 部长似乎无法理解这一简单的观点。 Christine feels unable to confide in her fiancé. 克莉丝汀觉得无法信任她的未婚夫。 The accident left him unable to walk. 这次事故使他丧失了行走能力。
Extra ExamplesHe remained silent, unwilling or unable to say what was in his mind. 他仍旧保持沉默，不愿意或是不能够说出他的想法。 He seemed constitutionally unable to keep quiet. 他似乎天生就不能保持安静。 He was considered unable to cope with the pressure of the job. 大家认为他无法承受工作压力。 He went on, apparently unable to stop. 他仍在继续，看上去停不下来了。 She found herself unable to meet his gaze. 她发觉自己不敢看他凝视的目光。 The road was deemed unable to cope with increased traffic. 人们认为这条路无法承受增多的车辆。 Ben is almost completely paralysed and unable to speak following a stroke. 本几乎完全瘫痪，中风后不能说话。 The union has been unable to reach an agreement with the company. 工会一直未能与公司达成协议。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- feel
- …
- completely
- quite
- totally
- …
- unwilling or unable