inactivo
/inaɡˈtibo/
The English word 'idle' can be translated into Spanish as inactivo.
Inactivo is used to denote something that is inactive or not in use. If you mean the intransitive action of spending time doing nothing, you might use verbs like vaguear, holgazanear or golfear. If you are describing an engine running at a slow speed or out of gear, use marchar al ralentí, andar en vacío or marchar en mínimum.
Meaning: not engaged in any occupation or employment (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, the word flojo/a is used to describe someone who is idle or lazy.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inactivo must agree with the noun it describes. It changes to inactiva for feminine nouns, inactivos for masculine plural nouns and inactivas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /inaɡˈtibo/.
Did you know?
- The word inactivo is a direct linguistic cousin of the Greek word energētĭkós, which is the root of the English word 'energy'.
- While inactivo is the standard translation for 'idle', the term golfear for spending time idly is derived from the word for the sport of golf.
- To describe a machine that is idle or running empty, Spanish speakers often use the phrase andar en vacío, which translates literally to 'to walk in the void'.
Examples in context
- El empleado está desocupado, puede ayudarte ahora.The employee is idle, he can assist you now.
- La máquina está ociosa debido a un fallo mecánico.The machine is idle due to a mechanical failure.
- La cuenta bancaria está inactiva desde hace años.The bank account has been idle for years.
- Mi hermano siempre encuentra la manera de ser holgazán y no ayudar en casa.My brother always finds a way to be idle/lazy and not help at home.
- Pasé toda la tarde sin hacer nada, simplemente estuve sentado/a.I spent the entire afternoon idle, just sitting there.
- El motor permanece inactivo.The engine remains idle.
- El sector industrial está inactivo hoy.The industrial sector is idle today.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about their work schedules.
- Sofía¿Por qué estás inactivo ahora, Mateo?Why are you idle right now, Mateo?
- MateoSigo esperando que llegue el nuevo pedido.I'm still waiting for the new order to arrive.
- SofíaEs aburrido estar inactivo en la oficina.It's boring to be idle in the office.
- MateoSí, prefiero estar ocupado trabajando.Yes, I prefer to be busy working.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry inactivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inactivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
