動かない
ugokanai
The Japanese phrase for "something is not working" is 動かない (ugokanai).
The phrase 動かない is used for mechanical or electronic devices that have failed to operate or are physically stuck.
How do you pronounce it?
ugokanai
Did you know?
- While 動かない describes a failure to function, Japanese speakers use the verb 固まる, which literally means 'to harden', to describe a computer that has 'frozen' or 'hung'.
- While 動かない is perfect for a broken machine, if a person refuses to follow your instructions or perform a task, you can use the same phrase to say they are 'not moving' or 'not cooperating'.
- In literature, describing a person as 動かない is a common way to imply they are a corpse or have lost all signs of life.
Examples in context
- すみませんが、エアコンが動きません。Excuse me, but the air conditioner is not working.
- 申し訳ありませんが、パソコンが故障しています。I'm sorry, but the computer is malfunctioning.
- あれ、テレビが動かない。Hey, the TV is not working.
- 彼、スマホが全然使えないんだって。He says his smartphone isn't working at all.
- この時計は動かない。Kono tokei wa ugokanai.This clock is not working.
- おもちゃが全然動かない。Omocha ga zenzen ugokanai.The toy is not working at all.
- エレベーターが動かないので、階段を使います。Erebētā ga ugokanai node, kaidan o tsukaimasu.The elevator is not working, so I will use the stairs.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are in the living room trying to use a remote control.
- 蓮 Renこのリモコン、動かないね。Kono rimokon, ugokanai ne.This remote control is not working, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari電池が入っているか確認するね。Denchi ga haitte iru ka kakunin suru ne.I will check if the batteries are in it.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵、電池は新しいかな？Himari, denchi wa atarashii kana?Himari, are the batteries new?
- 陽葵 Himariあ、新しいのを入れたけど動かないよ。A, atarashii no o ireta kedo ugokanai yo.Ah, I put new ones in, but it's not working.
