動いていない
ugoite inai
The English phrase 'not working' is translated into Japanese as 動いていない (ugoite inai).
動いていない is commonly used for mechanical or electronic devices that have stopped operating, such as clocks, engines or software processes.
Which one should you use?
While 動いていない describes a machine that is not currently in motion or operating, 壊れている specifically implies that the machine is broken or damaged.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 動いていない is the continuous negative form, used to describe a current state of non-functionality. To make the phrase polite, change the ending from 動いていない to 動いていません.
How do you pronounce it?
ugoite inai
Did you know?
- The verb used in 動いていない can also describe a person's heart being 'moved' by a profound emotion or a touching story.
- Modern Japanese speakers often use the slang loanword バグる (baguru) to say a program is 'not working' specifically due to a software bug.
- When describing a person who is 'not working' in the sense of being unemployed, Japanese speakers use a completely different set of verbs and rarely use the concept of 'movement' found in 動いていない.
Examples in context
- わたしの時計は正常に動いていない。My watch is not working normally.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 動いていない to describe a watch that is not working normally.Tatoeba #1189697 by mookeee, translation #1543297 by Bah_Dure
- コンピューターが動作しない。The computer is not working.
- 冷蔵庫が故障している。The refrigerator is not working.
- 電話が使用できません。The phone is not working.
- テレビが動かない。The TV is not working.
- 携帯が故障してる。The cellphone is not working.
- 掃除機が使えない。The vacuum cleaner is not working.
- このエレベーターは動いていない。Kono erebeetaa wa ugoite inai.This elevator is not working.
- 機械が全然動いていないよ。Kikai ga zenzen ugoite inai yo.The machine is not working at all.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are looking at a broken vending machine.
- 結衣 Yuiこの自販機、動いていないみたいだよ。Kono jihanki, ugoite inai mitai da yo.It looks like this vending machine is not working.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。電源が入っていないね。Hontou da. Dengen ga haitte inai ne.You're right. The power isn't on.
- 結衣 Yui修理を頼んだほうがいいかな。Shuuri o tanonda hou ga ii kana.I wonder if we should ask for a repair.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕が管理会社に連絡しておくよ。Boku ga kanri kaisha ni renraku shite oku yo.I will contact the management company.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
