无能为力
- Literal
- no ability to apply strength
- Figurative
- To have no means or power to change something or help someone; it stresses the lack of capacity, not failing strength or resigned acceptance.
Where does 无能为力 come from?
It does not come from a specific anecdote: its parts explain it. 无能 means "to have no ability" and 为力 "to put in effort, to lend a hand," so the whole says there is nothing you can contribute. It is usually said of situations beyond your reach: a serious illness, someone else's decision, a rule that is not up to you. It differs from 力不从心, where you want to and try but your strength is no longer up to it, and from 无可奈何, which stresses the resignation of having to accept what cannot be changed. It often takes 对…: 对此无能为力.
How is 无能为力 used? Two examples
- 奶奶病得很重，医生说他们也无能为力了。
Grandma is very ill, and the doctors say there's nothing more they can do.
- 这是总部的决定，我们部门对此无能为力。
It's a decision from headquarters; our department has no power to change it.
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