相似詞語(yǔ)辨析【52】disability和inability

字號(hào):

disability,inability
    這一對(duì)詞都表示“無(wú)能”之意,但涵義有細(xì)微的差異。
    Disability著重表示“因受傷而變殘廢所引起的無(wú)能”(lacking ability caused by injury)或“因天生的缺陷而導(dǎo)致的無(wú)能”(inherent defect);用于法律方面,它表示“不夠資格”、“不合格”(legal disqualification)之意。例:
    He has a disability pension because he lost his legs while he was in the army.
    他領(lǐng)取傷殘撫恤金,因?yàn)樗谲婈?duì)服役時(shí)失去了雙腿。
    He was always cheerful in spite of his disability.
    他雖然有殘疾(殘廢),但心情一直很愉快。
    Inability 著重表示“缺少能力”或“缺乏手段”(lack of power or means)的意味。如:
    His inability to undertake the work is due to his physical disabilities.
    他沒(méi)有能力承擔(dān)該工作,是由于他的殘疾。
    Can you account for your inability to pay the debt?
    您能否解釋無(wú)法償債的原因嗎?