How common it is
无奈 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say wúnài slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
无奈表示没有办法或感到无能为力。
Wúnài biǎoshì méiyǒu bànfǎ huò gǎndào wúnéng wéilì.
Helpless means having no way or feeling powerless.
Context note
当玩具坏了修不好时，小明感到很无奈。
Dāng wánjù huài le xiū bù hǎo shí, Xiǎo Míng gǎndào hěn wúnài.
When the toy broke and couldn't be fixed, Xiao Ming felt very helpless.
5 examples
下雨不能出去玩，我很无奈。
xià yǔ bù néng chū qù wán， wǒ hěn wú nài。
I can't go out to play because it's raining, I feel helpless.
小狗跑丢了，他无奈地哭了。
xiǎo gǒu pǎo diū le， tā wú nài dì kū le。
The puppy ran away, he cried helplessly.
作业太多，她无奈地叹了口气。
zuò yè tài duō， tā wú nài dì tàn le kǒu qì。
There was too much homework, she sighed helplessly.
妈妈无奈地摇摇头，因为孩子不听话。
mā ma wú nài dì yáo yáo tóu， yīn wèi hái zi bù tīng huà。
Mom shook her head helplessly because the child was disobedient.
他无奈地接受了这个结果。
tā wú nài dì jiē shòu le zhè ge jié guǒ。
He helplessly accepted this result.
5 mini stories
小丽想买一个冰淇淋，但钱不够。她无奈地走了。
xiǎo lì xiǎng mǎi yí gè bīng qí lín， dàn qián bú gòu。 tā wú nài dì zǒu le。
Xiao Li wanted to buy an ice cream, but she didn't have enough money. She left helplessly.
小明想和朋友们玩，但他们都忙。他无奈地自己看书。
xiǎo míng xiǎng hé péng yǒu men wán， dàn tā men dōu máng。 tā wú nài dì zì jǐ kàn shū。
Xiao Ming wanted to play with friends, but they were all busy. He helplessly read a book by himself.
小红不小心打碎了杯子。她无奈地告诉妈妈。
xiǎo hóng bù xiǎo xīn dǎ suì le bēi zi。 tā wú nài dì gào sù mā ma。
Xiao Hong accidentally broke a cup. She helplessly told her mom.
小华想画一幅画，但找不到画笔。他无奈地放弃了。
xiǎo huá xiǎng huà yì fú huà， dàn zhǎo bú dào huà bǐ。 tā wú nài dì fàng qì le。
Xiao Hua wanted to draw a picture, but couldn't find the paintbrush. He helplessly gave up.
小刚的自行车坏了，他无奈地推着走回家。
xiǎo gāng de zì xíng chē huài le， tā wú nài dì tuī zhe zǒu huí jiā。
Xiao Gang's bike broke down, he helplessly pushed it home.