poor ability

[pʊr əˈbɪləti]
noun phrasepl: poor abilities
pouca capacidade, baixa capacidade, habilidade fraca
1. lack of skill, competence, or proficiency in performing a task or activity
His poor ability in mathematics made it difficult for him to pass the exam.
Sua pouca capacidade em matemática dificultou a aprovação no exame.
2. insufficient talent or aptitude in a particular area
Despite her poor ability to speak in public, she gave a determined presentation.
Apesar de sua baixa capacidade de falar em público, ela fez uma apresentação determinada.
3. limited physical or mental capability to accomplish something
The elderly patient's poor ability to walk required assistance.
A capacidade fraca de caminhar do paciente idoso exigia assistência.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'poor ability' is used in educational and professional assessments. In Brazil, it's commonly heard in school reports (boletim escolar) and workplace evaluations. The phrase is generally tactful when describing someone's limitations, though directly stating 'pouca capacidade' in Portuguese can sometimes be considered more blunt than the English equivalent. In American culture, feedback about poor abilities is often softened with phrases like 'room for improvement' in professional settings.
NYC Slang
weak game, can't cut it, not got the chops
Synonyms / Sinônimos
low abilitylimited skillweak competencelack of aptitudeinsufficient proficiency
Antonyms / Antônimos
excellent abilityhigh skillgreat talentstrong competenceproficiency

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
pouca capacidade
most common and neutral usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
fraca habilidade, incapacidade
more informal and colloquial usage
São Paulo
baixa capacidade, falta de competência
formal and professional contexts
Portugal
capacidade reduzida, fraca aptidão
European Portuguese emphasizes deficiency more directly

Related Words

incompetenceweaknessdeficiencylimitationdisability

Related Idioms & Phrases

not up to the task
out of one's league
not have what it takes
struggle with something
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