idle

Compared meaning: not active, not working (adjective).

比较义项：不活跃的／闲置的（形容词）。

• dead

  Dead describes something completely without power or function, usually implying it has stopped working entirely, not just paused; common with batteries, phones, and electronic devices.

  dead强调某物完全失去电力或功能，通常表示彻底停止运作而非暂时暂停，常用于电池、手机等电子设备。

  The old phone battery is completely dead and won't charge.

  这块旧手机电池已经完全没电了，充不进去。

• idle 本词

  Idle describes a machine, engine, or system that is currently not running or engaged, but is capable of starting again soon; often implies a temporary pause during use.

  idle表示机器、引擎或系统目前没有运转或投入使用，但随时能够重新启动，通常指使用过程中的暂时停顿。

  The car engine was idle while we waited at the light.

  我们在等红灯时，汽车引擎处于闲置状态。

• inactive

  Inactive describes something like an account, membership, or system that has not been used or has not operated for a period of time; neutral in tone, emphasizing duration rather than power state.

  inactive表示账户、会员资格或系统在一段时间内未被使用或未运作，语气中性，强调“未使用的时长”而非动力状态。

  His social media account has been inactive for almost a year.

  他的社交媒体账户已经闲置将近一年了。

All three describe something not active. Dead means completely without power, usually stopped entirely, common with batteries. Idle describes a machine not currently running, but able to start again soon. Inactive describes an account not used for a period of time, neutral in tone.

dead、idle和inactive在“不活跃的／闲置的”这一义项上意思相近，但语气强弱和使用场合不同：dead语气最强，强调彻底失去功能；idle强调暂时停止运转，随时可恢复；inactive语气中性，强调一段时间未被使用。这里不比较dead的“已死的，无生命的”义，也不比较idle的“懒散的，无所事事的”义。

Compared meaning: unwilling to work (adjective).

比较义项：懒惰的，不愿意工作或做出努力（形容词）。

• lazy

  The common, direct word for someone unwilling to work; frequently used to criticize a person's character in everyday speech, including commands and complaints.

  这是日常口语中常见、直接的说法，形容不愿意工作的人；常用于批评某人的性格，包括在命令句和抱怨中使用。

  Don't be so lazy — do your own homework for once!

  别这么懒——就这一次，自己做作业！

• idle 本词

  More formal or literary; often part of the fixed phrase 'the idle rich' and similar collocations, describing habitual lifestyle rather than direct criticism.

  语气更正式或文学化；常构成固定短语“the idle rich”（懒惰的富人）等类似搭配，描述一种习惯性的生活方式，而不是直接的批评。

  The idle rich spent their days lounging by the pool instead of working.

  那些懒惰的富人整天躺在泳池边消磨时间，而不去工作。

Both words describe someone unwilling to work. Lazy is the common, direct word, often used to criticize a person's character in everyday speech. Idle is more formal or literary, often part of the phrase 'the idle rich', describing a lifestyle rather than direct criticism.

这两个词都可以形容不愿意工作、懒惰的人，但语气和风格不同：lazy是日常口语中直接甚至略带责备意味的说法，而idle语气更正式或文学化，多用来描述一种懒散无所事事的生活方式，责备意味较轻。此外，这里不比较lazy表示“悠闲的，慵懒的”（如a lazy Sunday）以及idle表示“闲置的，不运转的”（如机器怠速）的意思。