Inklingo

How to Say "incompetent" in Spanish

The Spanish word forincompetentis incompetenteB1 level.

English → SpanishB1
adjectiveB1
describing lack of necessary skill or ability
A chef looking confused while holding a whisk and a bowl of spilled flour.

Examples

No quiero ser grosero, pero el servicio en este hotel es incompetente.

I don't want to be rude, but the service at this hotel is incompetent.

La empresa perdió dinero por una gestión incompetente.

The company lost money due to incompetent management.

Se siente frustrada porque su jefe es totalmente incompetente.

She feels frustrated because her boss is totally incompetent.

One Form for Everyone

This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change based on gender. You use 'incompetente' for both men and women.

Describing Personality with 'Ser'

Since being incompetent is usually seen as a personal characteristic or a state of being, we almost always use it with the verb 'ser' (to be).

The 'Incompetenta' Error

Mistake:Ella es incompetenta.

Correction: Ella es incompetente. Words ending in -e in Spanish usually stay the same for both genders.

Other Meanings ofincompetente

incompetentecan also mean:

  • referring to a person who lacks skill(B2, informal)

See all meanings in the full dictionary entry →

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