non-working
non-working — 形容詞
1. without a paid job, either because you cannot find one or because you have chose
無業的
沒有工作或未就業的
without a paid job, either because you cannot find one or because you have chosen not to work, for example as a stay-at-home parent or retiree.
The job application form asks whether each parent is working or non-working.
這份求職表會詢問每位家長目前是有工作還是無業。
contrast on forms: working or non-working
Akiko has been non-working since she retired from teaching three years ago.
Akiko 從三年前退休之後就一直沒有工作。
non-working for retirees — 'unemployed' would be inaccurate here
Tanvi's mother was non-working for several years while raising three young children at home.
Tanvi 的媽媽有幾年沒有工作，在家照顧三個年幼的孩子。
non-working + parent / spouse — neutral descriptor of employment status
The city program offers free skills training to non-working residents who want to find jobs.
市政府課程為想找工作的無業居民提供免費技能訓練。
- non-working parent
- non-working spouse
- non-working resident
- non-working adult
- non-working population
- unemployed
specifically means actively seeking work, not retired or out of the workforce by choice.
- jobless
more negative in tone, often used in news about economic downturns.
- out of work
informal phrase, usually describes temporary job loss.
文法句型
non-working + noun (parent, spouse, resident)
be + non-working
用法筆記
Often used on official forms and surveys to describe employment status. Neutral in tone — it covers both unemployed job-seekers and people who choose not to work (retirees, students, stay-at-home parents). In everyday conversation, 'unemployed' or 'not working' is more common.
常見錯誤
2. relating to time, activities, or matters that are separate from your job or prof
非工作
與職業或上班事務無關的
relating to time, activities, or matters that are separate from your job or professional duties; not connected to work.
Stephanie uses her non-working hours to teach art classes at a community centre.
Stephanie 利用非工作時間在社區中心教美術課。
non-working hours — time spent away from one's job
Zola keeps her non-working life completely separate from her corporate job.
Zola 將她的非工作生活與公司的工作完全分開。
Company policy forbids using office printers for non-working purposes of any kind.
公司規定禁止將辦公室印表機用於任何非工作目的。
non-working purposes — activities unrelated to one's job
During non-working hours, Walid prefers not to answer calls from his manager.
在非工作時間，Walid 傾向不接主管的電話。
- non-working hours
- non-working time
- non-working day
- non-working purpose
- non-working activity
- non-working expense
- work-related
connected to or involving one's job.
- professional
relating to work or career duties.
文法句型
non-working + noun (hours, time, day, activity, purpose, expense)
用法筆記
Common in formal or written contexts such as employment contracts, company policies, and tax forms. In casual speech, phrases like 'time off work' or 'outside of work' are more natural. Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense describes time/resources, not a person's employment status.
常見錯誤
3. of a machine, device, or system: unable to operate normally, often because of a
故障的
機器或設備無法正常運轉的
of a machine, device, or system: unable to operate normally, often because of a fault or damage.
The office photocopier has been non-working since Tuesday, so staff cannot print reports.
辦公室的影印機從星期二就故障了，員工無法列印報告。
pattern: has been non-working since [time] — describes duration of a fault
Jin reported a non-working smoke alarm to the building's maintenance supervisor.
Jin 向大樓維修主管回報了一個故障的煙霧警報器。
After the storm, three traffic lights remained non-working at the main intersection.
暴風雨過後，主要路口有三個紅綠燈依然故障不亮。
remained non-working — state persists over time
Minh tried to fix the non-working washing machine but could not identify the problem.
Minh 試圖修理故障的洗衣機，但找不出問題所在。
- non-working machine
- non-working device
- non-working equipment
- non-working system
- non-working phone
- non-working elevator
- non-working smoke alarm
- remain non-working
- become non-working
- broken
implies physical damage; more common in everyday speech.
- malfunctioning
more technical, used in repair manuals and IT support.
- out of order
phrase used in public notices for equipment (e.g., elevators, ATMs).
- functioning
working normally.
- operational
ready and able to operate.
- working
in good working order.
文法句型
non-working + noun (machine, device, equipment, system)
have/has been non-working + since/for [time period]
用法筆記
Used for equipment, appliances, and infrastructure. This sense overlaps with 'broken' but is more neutral about the cause — a device may be non-working because it needs repair, not necessarily because it is damaged beyond fixing. Common in maintenance reports and customer service communication.