powerless

machtlos, hilflos

Nicht fähig, etwas zu tun oder eine Lage zu verändern, weil Kraft oder Einfluss fehlt.

In einfachem Englisch: Unable to do something or change a situation because you lack strength or control.

• I felt powerless to help.
• They were powerless against the strong current.
• She watched, powerless, as the fire spread.

So benutzt man es: powerless to do something (We were powerless to prevent the closure.); powerless against something (The small boat was powerless against the waves.)

Synonyme: helpless, weak

Gegenteile: powerful

Häufige Wendungen: feel powerless, powerless to act, powerless against something

ohne rechtliche Befugnis

Nicht zum Handeln berechtigt, weil das Gesetz die nötige Befugnis nicht verleiht.

In einfachem Englisch: Unable to act because the law does not give you the right to do so.

• The council is powerless to change the law.
• Police were powerless to enter without a warrant.
• The court remained powerless outside its own jurisdiction.

So benutzt man es: powerless to do something (The agency is powerless to impose a fine.)

Synonyme: unauthorized

Häufige Wendungen: legally powerless, powerless to intervene, powerless under something

ohne Strom, stromlos

Keine elektrische Versorgung zur Verfügung habend.

In einfachem Englisch: Having no electricity available.

• The storm left our house powerless.
• Thousands of homes remained powerless overnight.
• The village was powerless after the cables fell.

Synonyme: without power

Häufige Wendungen: left powerless, powerless homes, powerless after something