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HSK 6
withoutnéngabilitywéimakestrength
powerless; helpless; unable to do anything about it

Literal meaning

without (无) — ability (能) — make (为) — strength (力)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase.

Examples

Duìzhèjiànshìnéngwéi
There's nothing I can do about this matter.
Kàndàoshēngbìngquènéngwéigǎndàohěnshāngxīn
Seeing him sick, but being unable to do anything, I feel very sad.

Usage & nuances

Expresses a feeling of helplessness.

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