unhelpful

IPA/ʌnˈhelpfl/
KK[ənhˈɛlpfəl]IPA/ʌnˈhelpfl/

unhelpful — 形容詞

  • unhelpfulpositive
  • more unhelpfulcomparative
  • most unhelpfulsuperlative

1. failing to make a problem or a bad situation better; often making it more diffic

1.形容詞B1
釋義

無幫助的

對改善情況沒有幫助，反而可能使問題惡化

failing to make a problem or a bad situation better; often making it more difficult instead

例句

Sayaka's comment about the budget was completely unhelpful and only upset the team.

Sayaka 對預算的評論完全無幫助，只讓團隊感到沮喪。

collocation: completely unhelpful

The map the hotel gave us was old and unhelpful, so we got lost twice.

旅館給我們的地圖老舊且無幫助，所以我們迷路了兩次。

attributive use: unhelpful [noun]

常見搭配
  • completely unhelpful
  • entirely unhelpful
  • unhelpful advice
  • unhelpful comment
  • unhelpful for
  • find something unhelpful
同義詞
  • useless

    stronger — implies something has no value at all, not just that it fails to help in this situation

  • counterproductive

    stronger — actively makes the situation worse rather than simply not improving it

  • unproductive

    focuses on a lack of results, often for effort or meetings rather than for advice or tools

反義詞
  • helpful

    direct opposite: providing useful assistance or improvement

  • useful

    practical and effective in a given situation

  • constructive

    offering positive suggestions that help improve a situation

文法句型

unhelpful + to-infinitive

unhelpful + in + -ing form

用法筆記

Often describes advice, comments, information, or tools that should help but do not. The subject is usually an inanimate thing rather than a person.

常見錯誤

The side effects of the medicine were unhelpful.
The side effects of the medicine were unpleasant.
'Unhelpful' is for things expected to help but don't; side effects are unwanted, not unhelpful.
This book is very unhelpful for learning Spanish — it has many mistakes.
This book is not helpful for learning Spanish
it has many mistakes.' — 'Unhelpful' is less common in positive declaratives about objects; 'not helpful' sounds more natural here.

2. showing an unwillingness to give help when requested, often with a rude or cold

2.形容詞B1
釋義

不願幫忙的

不願意提供協助的（尤指態度惡劣或不友善）

showing an unwillingness to give help when requested, often with a rude or cold attitude

例句

The librarian was unhelpful and told Sofie to look it up herself.

圖書館員不願意幫忙，叫 Sofie 自己查。

unhelpful (of a person in a service role)

Noa asked three shop assistants, but each one was just as unhelpful.

Noa 問了三名店員，但每個人都不願幫忙。

predicative use: [person] + was + unhelpful

常見搭配
  • unhelpful staff
  • unhelpful attitude
  • unhelpful towards
  • unhelpful to
  • find someone unhelpful
  • deliberately unhelpful
同義詞
  • uncooperative

    stresses a refusal to work with others or follow instructions

  • obstructive

    stronger — actively creates barriers to block someone's progress

  • unfriendly

    focuses on a cold or unwelcoming manner rather than on refusing help

反義詞
  • helpful

    willing to assist or provide support when asked

  • supportive

    actively gives encouragement or help, especially in difficult situations

  • cooperative

    willing to work together towards a shared goal

文法句型

unhelpful + towards/to + person

用法筆記

Describes the behaviour or attitude of a person, not their feelings. A person can be unhelpful even if they intend to help but fail; the word usually implies a lack of effort or willingness.

常見錯誤

I felt very unhelpful when my friend asked for advice.
I felt unable to help when my friend asked for advice.
'Unhelpful' describes the person's external behaviour or attitude, not their internal feeling of being inadequate.
The teacher was unhelpful about the homework.
The teacher was not helpful about the homework.
'Was unhelpful' sounds stronger and more critical than many speakers intend; 'was not helpful' is often more neutral.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • find someone/something unhelpful
  • prove unhelpful
  • seem unhelpful

介系詞搭配