unreliably

/ˌʌnɹᵻlˈaɪəbli/ adv C1 ✓

In an unreliable manner.

Word Origin Rely traces back to Latin ligare 'to bind, tie' — when you rely on someone, you're metaphorically bound to them. Unreliably means 'in a way that cannot be bound to, not dependable.' The same root gives us ligament (something that binds), oblige (bind by oath), and religion (possibly 'bind to the divine'). The breakdown un+rely+able+ly shows the negation of 'able to be relied on.'

adv In an unreliable manner. C1 ✓

The old car started unreliably on cold mornings.

(副词) 不可靠地;靠不住地

这辆旧车在寒冷的早晨启动不可靠。

(adverbio) de manera poco confiable; sin fiabilidad; de forma poco fiable; con poca fiabilidad [De manera poco confiable; sin fiabilidad.]

El viejo coche arrancaba **de manera poco confiable** en las mañanas frías.

(adverbe) de manière peu fiable; de façon peu fiable; irrégulièrement [D'une manière peu fiable, sur laquelle on ne peut pas compter.]

La vieille voiture démarrait unreliably les matins de grand froid.

(Adverb) unzuverlässig; unberechenbar [Auf eine unzuverlässige Weise; so, dass man sich nicht darauf verlassen kann.]

Das alte Auto sprang an kalten Morgen **unreliably** an.

(副詞) 信頼できない様子で、あてにならずに。

古い車は寒い朝になるとエンジンがかかりにくかった。

(advérbio) de forma não confiável; de maneira pouco confiável [De maneira não confiável.]

O carro velho ligava de maneira não confiável nas manhãs frias.

Word parts: un + rely + able + ly

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