inaktiv
inactive
Not active, working, or effective; idle or out of operation.
EXAMPLE
Der Vulkan gilt seit Jahrhunderten als inaktiv.
The volcano has been considered inactive for centuries.
inaktiv
inactive
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is composed of the prefix 'in-' and the adjective 'aktiv' (active). The prefix 'in-' here means 'not' and negates the base word. This pattern helps you understand many other words, e.g. 'intolerant' (intolerant) or 'inkorrekt' (incorrect).
EXAMPLE
Seine Antwort war leider inkorrekt.
Unfortunately, his answer was incorrect.
Typical collocations
'inaktiv' (inactive) is used in various contexts. Typical combinations are 'ein inaktiver Vulkan' (an inactive volcano), 'ein inaktives Benutzerkonto' (an inactive user account), or 'ein politisch inaktiver Mensch' (a politically inactive person).
EXAMPLE
Wenn du dein Konto länger als ein Jahr nicht nutzt, wird es inaktiv.
If you don't use your account for more than a year, it will become inactive.
Different contexts
The exact meaning of 'inaktiv' (inactive) depends on the context. With people, it often means 'untätig' (idle) or 'passiv' (passive). With technical devices or accounts, it means 'not in use' or 'deactivated'.
EXAMPLE
Er führt einen sehr inaktiven Lebensstil und macht kaum Sport.
He leads a very inactive lifestyle and hardly does any sports.
Compare with
inaktiv vs passiv
passive
When there is no participation, both passiv and inaktiv can fit. Passiv describes more how someone participates: waiting and showing no initiative of their own. Inaktiv emphasizes that an activity has actually ceased or that someone is not active at all.
inaktiv
Im Verein ist Paul seit Monaten inaktiv und nimmt an keiner Tätigkeit mehr teil.
Paul has been inactive in the club for months and no longer takes part in any activities.
passiv
Im Verein ist Paul eher passiv und hilft nur, wenn ihn jemand darum bittet.
Paul is rather passive in the club and only helps when someone asks him to.
In real life
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