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incapable

incapable, unable

adjective an-kah-PAHBL Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Usage Note

Incapable is always invariable in form (same for masculine and feminine: il est incapable / elle est incapable). It typically combines with de + infinitive: incapable de mentir — incapable of lying. The antonym is capable. In spoken French it can also function as a noun to dismissively label someone as a useless person (quel incapable !).

Examples

"Il est incapable de garder un secret."

Natural Translation

He is incapable of keeping a secret.

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