powerless

Compared meaning: lacking power or strength (adjective).

比较义项：缺乏力量、无法施加作用（形容词）。

• weak

  Weak describes a general lack of physical strength or power in a person or thing, with no implication of a specific external situation causing it.

  weak表示人或事物本身力气、力量不足，是一种一般性描述，并不涉及造成这种状态的具体外部情境。

  After the long illness, his legs felt weak and unsteady.

  生了一场大病之后，他的双腿感到虚弱无力，站不稳。

• powerless 本词

  Powerless describes being unable to act, control, or influence a particular situation, usually because of external circumstances, rather than a general lack of physical strength.

  powerless表示在某个具体情境中无法采取行动、加以控制或施加影响，通常是由外部原因造成的，而不是泛指身体力量不足。

  Without electricity, the whole neighborhood felt powerless and quiet.

  停电之后，整个社区显得无力应对，一片寂静。

Weak and powerless both mean lacking power, but differ in focus. Weak describes a general lack of physical strength in a person or thing. Powerless describes being unable to act or have influence in a specific situation. This does not cover weak meaning diluted.

weak和powerless在“缺乏力量”这一点上意思相近，但weak泛指人或事物本身力气/力量不足，powerless则强调在某个具体情境中因外部原因而无法采取行动或施加影响，带有无助感。weak还有“（茶、信号等）淡的、弱的”等其他义项，这里不比较。