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be unable

[bi ʌnˈeɪbəl]
verb phrase
ser incapaz de; não conseguir; não poder
1. to lack the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something
I am unable to attend the meeting tomorrow.
Sou incapaz de comparecer à reunião amanhã.
2. to be in a state of incapacity or helplessness
She was unable to speak after the shock.
Ela não conseguia falar após o choque.
Synonyms
cannotbe incapablelack abilitybe helplessbe powerless
Antonyms
be ablecanbe capablemanagesucceed

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
não conseguir; ser incapaz de
most common usage in everyday speech
Portugal
não conseguir; ser incapaz de; não poder
standard usage across regions

Related Idioms & Phrases

unable to help oneself
unable to make heads or tails of
render someone unable
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