unfähig

Unfähig is a German adjective meaning unable or incapable. It describes a person, group, or thing that lacks the ability, capability, or authorization to perform a task or to fulfill a role. The term is formed with the negating prefix un- attached to fähig (capable). It can denote physical, mental, or legal incapacity and is used in everyday language as well as formal writing.

In usage, unfähig can modify verbs in phrases such as „Er ist unfähig, sich zu konzentrieren“ or „Die Organisation ist unfähig, den Auftrag termingerecht auszuführen.“ It also appears in legal and medical contexts to describe limits on capacity. Common legal compounds include geschäftsunfähig (unable to perform legal actions due to lack of capacity) and testierunfähig or Testierunfähigkeit (incapacity to make a will). The noun form Unfähigkeit denotes incapacity or inability and is used across disciplines to refer to a lack of ability or skill.

Related terms include fähig (capable), nicht in der Lage (not in a position), and Unvermögen (inability or deficiency). The word is neutral in tone, though its context can range from everyday limits to formal assessments. In English, unfähig is often translated as unable or incapable.