Nefungujte

Nefungujte is a negative imperative form used in Czech and Slovak. It is formed from the verb fungovat, meaning to function or to work, with the negating prefix ne- and the present imperative ending, resulting in nefungujte, which translates roughly to “do not function” or “do not operate.” The phrase is typically addressed to a group (you all) and is commonly found in safety warnings, operating manuals, and other instructions where it is important to prevent the use of a device or system.

In usage, nefungujte instructs people not to operate equipment under certain conditions, to avoid danger or damage. Examples might appear on machinery or electrical devices, such as signs that say nefungujte bez školení (do not operate without training) or nefungujte při poruše (do not operate during a malfunction). The form is primarily a directive in the imperative mood, rather than a description of a device’s state.

Nefungujte contrasts with nefunguje, which is the third-person singular present tense meaning “it does not function.” The latter describes a device’s current state, while nefungujte issues a command to refrain from action. Related linguistic forms include nefunkčný/nefunkční (nonfunctional), nefungovanie/nefungovaniu (nonfunctionality in noun forms), and other negated imperatives such as nepoužívať (do not use).

Overall, nefungujte is a practical example of how negation and imperative mood operate in Czech and Slovak, serving a clear communicative purpose in safety and operational contexts.