impotent

Compared meaning: not able to do something (adjective).

比较义项：没有能力做某事、无力做到（形容词）。

• unable

  Neutral, everyday word meaning someone lacks the ability, skill, or opportunity to do something; almost always followed by 'to' + verb; carries no strong emotion.

  语气中性、日常，表示某人缺乏能力、技能或机会去做某事；几乎总是接“to + 动词”；不带强烈情感色彩。

  She was unable to attend the meeting due to illness.

  她因为生病没能去开会。

• impotent 本词

  Stronger, more literary word emphasizing a feeling of helplessness despite wanting to act, often about power, authority, or emotion, as in 'impotent rage'; less neutral than unable.

  语气更强、更书面，强调尽管想采取行动却感到无能为力，常涉及权力、权威或情绪（如“impotent rage”无力的愤怒）；不像unable那样中性。

  He felt impotent to stop the flood from destroying the crops.

  他感到自己无力阻止洪水摧毁庄稼。

Unable and impotent both mean not able to do something. Unable is neutral, simply stating a lack of ability, usually followed by 'to' plus a verb. Impotent is stronger and literary, describing a feeling of helplessness despite wanting to act. Impotent has another medical meaning.

这两个词都表示“没有能力”，但unable语气中性、常用于日常场合，只是客观陈述做不到某事；impotent语气更强、更书面，强调面对困境时的无力感和挫败情绪，常带感情色彩。impotent还有“阳痿的”这一医学义项，这里不比较。