Also means
disability (legal/administrative)
Usage Note
Incapacité is used in both everyday speech (incapacité à agir, 'inability to act') and in legal or medical contexts — incapacité de travail means 'inability to work' (sick leave) and triggers insurance rights in France. The opposite is capacité; the adjective incapable is more frequently used in informal contexts.
Examples
"Il est en incapacité de travailler depuis un mois."
Natural Translation
He has been unable to work for a month.
Literal Translation
He has been in incapacity to work for a month.

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