← Back to Fala2Me

be incompetent

[bi ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt]
verb phrase
ser incompetente
1. to lack the skills, knowledge, or ability required to do something successfully
He was incompetent at managing the project.
Ele era incompetente na gestão do projeto.
2. to be inadequate or unsuitable for a particular task or role
The contractor proved to be incompetent for such delicate work.
O contratante provou ser incompetente para um trabalho tão delicado.
NYC Slang
be trash at something; not have what it takes
Synonyms
be incapablebe unablelack skillbe unqualifiedbe inept
Antonyms
be competentbe capablebe skilledbe qualifiedbe proficient

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser incompetente
most common usage
São Paulo
ser incompetente
standard usage
Portugal
ser incompetente
standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

not cut out for something
out of one's depth
not up to the task
not have the chops
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →