Spanish Conversation · Level 96
60 words
Spanish word
inservible
Pronunciation
IPA/inseɾˈβiβle/
Meaning
- adjectiveuseless
Example
Este cuchillo es inservible.
This knife is useless.
More examples
La radio quedó inservible después de la tormenta.
The radio was left unusable after the storm.
Core concept
A tool that cannot be used for its intended job.
Common phrases
completamente inservible
completely useless
estar inservible
be unusable
herramienta inservible
useless tool
Similar words
inútil: Of no practical use in the situation for which it was intended.
roto: Physically damaged and incapable of functioning.
averiado: Suffers a fault and does not operate as designed.
defectuoso: Built or produced with a defect that keeps it from working properly.
Definition in Spanish
Que no sirve para el uso o la función que se espera de algo; que carece de utilidad práctica.
Word origin
Formed from in- 'not' and the verb servir (from Latin servire 'to serve'), giving the sense of 'not useful for serving its purpose' when applied to items.
Usage tips
- Often paired with verbs of state such as estar or quedar, as in 'quedó inservible', to say something became unusable after damage or wear.