inoperable

IPA/ɪnˈɒpərəbl/
KK[ˌɪnˈɑpɚəbəl]IPA/ɪnˈɑːpərəbl/

inoperable — 形容詞

  • inoperablepositive
  • more inoperablecomparative
  • most inoperablesuperlative

1. describing a tumour, cancer, or diseased body part that cannot be removed or cur

1.形容詞C1
釋義

無法手術

無法透過手術治療的

describing a tumour, cancer, or diseased body part that cannot be removed or cured by performing a surgical operation.

例句

Theo's lung tumour was inoperable, so he received chemotherapy instead.

Theo的肺部腫瘤已無法手術，因此他改接受化療。

inoperable tumour — collocation with specific body part

When the cancer was found to be inoperable, the team focused on slowing its growth.

當發現癌症已無法手術時，醫療團隊轉而專注於延緩病情惡化。

passive: found to be inoperable

常見搭配
  • inoperable tumour
  • inoperable cancer
  • inoperable brain tumour
  • diagnosed as inoperable
  • deem inoperable
  • inoperable condition
同義詞
  • untreatable

    broader meaning — includes any kind of treatment, not just surgery

  • incurable

    no known cure at all, whereas 'inoperable' leaves open the possibility of non-surgical treatment

  • non-resectable

    specifically surgical term for a tumour that cannot be cut out; more technical and less common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • operable

    direct opposite — can be treated by surgery

  • resectable

    surgical term; capable of being surgically removed

文法句型

inoperable + noun (tumour, cancer, condition)

用法筆記

Almost always used for tumours, cancers, or damaged organs. 'Inoperable' describes the condition, not the patient — avoid saying 'the patient is inoperable.' The opposite is 'operable.'

常見錯誤

The patient is inoperable.
The patient has an inoperable tumour.
'inoperable' describes the medical condition, not the person.
Her broken leg is inoperable.
Her broken leg cannot be treated with surgery.
'inoperable' is used for growths and internal conditions, not for broken bones, which are 'non-surgical' or 'treated without surgery.'

2. describing equipment, a procedure, or a scheme that is not in a working conditio

2.形容詞B2
釋義

無法運作

不能使用或正常運行的

describing equipment, a procedure, or a scheme that is not in a working condition or has become impractical to carry out.

例句

After the flood, the factory's control system was inoperable and production stopped.

洪水過後，工廠的控制系統無法運作，生產因而停擺。

system + was + inoperable — stative use with equipment

Gabriel tried to start the old generator, but the engine was inoperable.

Gabriel嘗試啟動那台舊發電機，但引擎無法運作，必須更換。

常見搭配
  • inoperable system
  • inoperable equipment
  • inoperable elevator
  • rendered inoperable
  • left inoperable
  • completely inoperable
同義詞
  • inoperative

    very similar in meaning; slightly more formal and more common for machines and official systems

  • non-functional

    more neutral and descriptive; common in technical writing

  • broken down

    informal; suggests a vehicle or large machine that has suddenly stopped working

反義詞

文法句型

be + inoperable

leave + noun + inoperable

render + noun + inoperable

用法筆記

More formal than 'broken' or 'not working.' Common in technical reports, official notices, and news about infrastructure failures. The noun 'inoperability' exists but is very rare — prefer 'failure' or 'down time.'

常見錯誤

The phone battery is inoperable.
The phone is inoperable.
'inoperable' describes the whole device or system, not a replaceable part.
My car is inoperable because I need to buy new tires.
The elevator is inoperable because a cable snapped.
'inoperable' suggests a serious functional failure, not a minor or routine issue.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

  • completely inoperable
  • currently inoperable
  • medically inoperable
  • technically inoperable

常用片語

  • render something inoperable
  • leave something inoperable
  • be deemed inoperable
  • remain inoperable

介系詞搭配

  • inoperable due to
  • inoperable without