mou4 nang4 wai4 lik6無能為力无能为力

Jyutpingmou4 nang4 wai4 lik6

Yalemòuh nàhng wàih lihk

語句Uncommon

Definition

Powerless to help; unable to do anything due to a lack of ability or other constraints.

neutralemotionpeople

How it's used

This idiom carries a sense of helplessness or resignation when faced with a situation beyond one's control. It is often used to soften the blow of a refusal, signaling that the speaker genuinely wishes they could assist but lacks the necessary resources or authority. It is more formal than simple phrases like 幫唔到手 and is typically reserved for serious or significant predicaments.

Examples

min6面deoi3對ni1呢go3個cing4情fong3況，ngo5我zan1真hai6係mou4無nang4能wai4為lik6力aa4呀。

Facing this situation, I am truly unable to help.

nei5你giu3叫ngo5我bong1幫sau2手，daan6但ngo5我mou4無nang4能wai4為lik6力wo5喎，dim2點syun3算？

You asked me to help, but I am unable to do anything, what should we do?

Common phrases

sam1深gam2感mou4無nang4能wai4為lik6力

feel deeply helpless

deoi3對ci2此mou4無nang4能wai4為lik6力

unable to do anything about this

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple inability to perform a task, but it specifically implies a lack of power or external constraints rather than just a lack of skill or knowledge.