incompetente
“incompetente” means “incompetent” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
incompetent
Also: incapable, unskilled
📝 In Action
No quiero ser grosero, pero el servicio en este hotel es incompetente.
B1I don't want to be rude, but the service at this hotel is incompetent.
La empresa perdió dinero por una gestión incompetente.
B2The company lost money due to incompetent management.
Se siente frustrada porque su jefe es totalmente incompetente.
B1She feels frustrated because her boss is totally incompetent.
incompetent
Also: bungler
📝 In Action
No dejes que ese incompetente toque tu computadora.
B1Don't let that incompetent touch your computer.
Estamos rodeados de incompetentes.
B2We are surrounded by incompetents.
El informe fue escrito por un incompetente.
B2The report was written by an incompetent.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: incompetente
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'She is incompetent' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'incompetens', which combines 'in-' (meaning 'not') and 'competere' (meaning 'to be fit' or 'to coincide'). It describes someone who is literally 'not fit' for a task.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'incompetente' change if I'm talking about a woman?
No. The word remains 'incompetente' for both males and females. For example: 'Él es incompetente' and 'Ella es incompetente'.
Is it very offensive to call someone 'incompetente'?
Yes, it is considered a harsh criticism. In a workplace, it can be grounds for conflict, as it directly attacks someone's professional ability.
Can I use 'incompetente' to describe a broken machine?
Not usually. 'Incompetente' is almost always reserved for people or groups of people (like a committee or management). For a machine, you would say it 'no funciona' or is 'defectuosa'.