Ikkebrukelige

Ikkebrukelige is a Norwegian term used to describe an object, system, or interface that is not usable. The term is formed from the negation "ikke" and the adjective "brukelig" (usable), with the compound form "ikkebrukelige" indicating a not-usable quality. It appears in both spoken and written Norwegian, often in informal or critical contexts.

Definition and scope: Ikkebrukelige refers to conditions where something fails to meet basic usability criteria, such as missing essential functions, inconsistent behavior, poor accessibility, or reliability problems that prevent effective use. It is not strictly a technical standard term, but it is commonly used in consumer reviews, UX discussions, and journalism to signal severe usability flaws.

Usage: The term is typically used evaluatively rather than descriptively; it implies a negative judgment about the item’s usefulness in typical scenarios. Grammatical forms include ikkebrukelig (singular) or ikkebrukelige (plural) depending on the object and Norwegian grammar.

Examples: A software application with frequent crashes and confusing navigation might be described as ikkebrukelig; a hardware device with nonfunctional buttons and short battery life could also be labeled so. The term should be used cautiously in formal writing, where more precise criteria might be required.

See also: brukelig, utilgjengelig, usability, user experience.