inert
Significado: Lacking the ability or will to move or act; in chemistry, not reacting with other substances under normal conditions.
Inert has a precise chemical meaning — inert gases (noble gases) do not readily form compounds — and a broader figurative sense of lifelessness or passivity. Applied to people, institutions, or economies, it suggests a troubling absence of energy or initiative. 'Politically inert' implies a failure to engage; 'intellectually inert' suggests a refusal to think critically. The word is more damning than 'passive' because it implies an inherent incapacity rather than a choice.
Ejemplos
- The opposition remained curiously inert during the most controversial phase of the parliamentary debate. 在议会辩论最具争议的阶段,反对派却出奇地无所作为。La oposición permaneció curiosamente inerte durante la fase más controvertida del debate parlamentario.議会審議の最も論争的な段階で、野党は不思議なほど動きを見せなかった。야당은 의회 토론의 가장 논쟁적인 단계에서 이상할 정도로 무기력한 모습을 보였다.
- Helium and neon are chemically inert, making them ideal for applications requiring non-reactive environments. 氦和氖在化学上是惰性的,因此非常适合需要非反应性环境的应用。El helio y el neón son químicamente inertes, lo que los hace ideales para aplicaciones que requieren entornos no reactivos.ヘリウムとネオンは化学的に不活性であり、非反応性の環境を必要とする用途に最適である。헬륨과 네온은 화학적으로 비활성이어서, 비반응성 환경이 요구되는 용도에 이상적이다.
- The patient lay inert on the stretcher, unresponsive to verbal stimuli. 患者一动不动地躺在担架上,对言语刺激毫无反应。El paciente yacía inerte en la camilla, sin responder a los estímulos verbales.患者は担架の上で身動きせず横たわり、声による刺激に反応しなかった。환자는 들것 위에 꼼짝 않고 누워, 음성 자극에 반응하지 않았다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: academic, scientific, journalism
Tono: neutral
Origen e historia
From Latin inertem (unskilled, inactive), from in- (not) + ars (skill, art). Entered English in the mid-17th century; the chemical sense was established by the late 18th century.
Contexto cultural
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Más de este tema
More from General Advanced
Tarjetas, cuestionarios, audio y repetición espaciada — todo gratis