unable

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

比较义项：不能，没有能力（做某事）（形容词）。

• unable 本词

  Neutral, everyday word stating that someone cannot do something, often due to circumstance, illness, or a temporary constraint; very common, no negative judgment implied.

  语气中性、日常，表示某人因情况、生病或一时的限制而做不到某事；使用非常普遍，不带负面评价。

  He was unable to sleep because of the loud construction noise next door.

  由于隔壁的施工噪音太大，他睡不着觉。

• incapable

  More formal and stronger, often implying a lack of skill, character, or inherent capacity; can sound judgmental, and commonly appears in the phrase 'incapable of' plus a noun or gerund.

  语气更正式、更强烈，常暗示缺乏技能、品格或内在能力，可能带有评判意味，常用于“incapable of”加名词或动名词的结构。

  The manager seemed incapable of admitting his own mistakes.

  这位经理似乎无法承认自己的错误。

Unable and incapable both mean not able to do something. Unable is neutral and common, simply stating someone cannot do it, often due to circumstance. Incapable is stronger and more formal, suggesting a lack of skill or character, and can sound judgmental.

两词都表示“没有能力做某事”，但 unable 更中性、常见，只客观陈述做不到某事，多因外部原因或一时情况；incapable 语气更重，强调缺乏能力或品质，常带有较负面、较正式的评价色彩，也可指长期或性格上的欠缺。