inefficient

Compared meaning: not efficient, wasting time, energy, or resources (adjective).

比较义项：效率低、浪费资源的（形容词）。

• inefficient 本词

  Describes a process, machine, or person that fails to produce good results without wasting time or energy, usually due to poor design or method, not necessarily wasted physical resources.

  描述某个过程、机器或人未能在不浪费时间或精力的情况下取得良好效果，通常是因为设计或方法欠佳，而不一定是浪费了实际的物质资源。

  The old printer is slow and inefficient compared to the new one.

  这台旧打印机又慢又低效，比不上新的那台。

• wasteful

  Describes an action or habit that uses more of a resource, such as money, energy, or time, than is necessary or sensible, often implying carelessness rather than a flawed method.

  描述某种使用金钱、能源或时间等资源超过必要或合理限度的行为或习惯，通常暗示的是粗心大意，而不是方法本身有缺陷。

  Leaving the lights on all night is a wasteful habit.

  整夜开着灯是一种浪费的习惯。

Inefficient and wasteful both suggest causing waste, but focus differently. Inefficient stresses a process, machine, or person that fails to give good results without wasting extra time or energy. Wasteful stresses using more of a resource, like money, energy, or time, than necessary.

这两个词在此义项上都带有“造成浪费”的意味，但侧重点不同：inefficient 强调过程、机器或方法本身效率低，没能用最少的时间和精力产生应有的结果；wasteful 强调对金钱、能源或时间等资源的不必要消耗，语气更偏向“浪费”本身而不是“效率差”。