inoperantes

Inoperantes is the plural form of the adjective inoperante, used in Spanish to describe objects, systems, or processes that do not operate or are not functioning as intended. The term can refer to equipment that is out of service, malfunctioning, or ineffective for its purpose. It is commonly applied to mechanical devices, electrical installations, computer systems, and industrial processes, but can also describe administrative or procedural elements that fail to produce the desired result.

Linguistic notes: inoperante derives from the prefix in- (negation) and operar (to operate). While inoperante is the standard adjective, in some contexts the noun form inoperante can be used to designate a nonfunctional element, though more common alternatives exist in everyday language. In medical contexts, the related term inoperable is used for conditions or patients unsuitable for surgery (inoperables is less common or context-dependent).

Contexts of use: in engineering and technology, inoperantes are components or subsystems that are out of service or malfunctioning, often identified during maintenance, testing, or incident response. In management or policy discussions, the term can describe processes that fail to deliver expected outcomes or requirements, prompting repairs, replacements, or redesigns. The status of being inoperante can be temporary (pending repair) or permanent (decommissioned).

See also: operante, operativo, funcional, fuera de servicio, mantenimiento, reparación. Examples include “un generador inoperante,” “nodos inoperantes de la red” o “equipo inoperante tras la falla eléctrica.”