Translation guide
Expresses that efforts, plans, or hopes end without achieving any result. Japanese uses several verbs and set phrases depending on whether the failure is due to futility, collapse, or gradual fading.
To say that something attempted or planned ultimately fails or produces no result.
Literally 'become wasted'. Very common for efforts, time, or money that end up being for nothing.
All his efforts came to nothing.
Even though we prepared, it came to nothing because of the rain.
Idiom meaning 'turn into bubbles on water', i.e., vanish without trace. Emphasizes the complete disappearance of hopes or efforts.
Years of research came to nothing.
Literally 'end in fruitless labor'. Formal and somewhat literary, used in writing or serious contexts.
The negotiations came to nothing.
To say that a plan, project, or scheme falls apart or fails to materialize.
Literally 'go out (like a flame)'. Used when plans or projects fizzle out without a clear conclusion.
The plan came to nothing.
The discussion just fizzled out and came to nothing.
Colloquial, slightly rough. Means a plan is ruined or comes to nothing, often suddenly.
Literally 'become a reset on an abacus'. Means a plan is scrapped and you start over from zero. Somewhat dated or dramatic.
The contract came to nothing.
To express that something hoped for does not happen, leaving disappointment.
無駄になる focuses on the waste of effort or resources. 立ち消えになる focuses on the plan or project itself disappearing without a clear end. Use 無駄になる when you want to emphasize the futility, and 立ち消えになる when the thing just fades away.
My efforts came to nothing (were wasted).
The plan came to nothing (fizzled out).
Do not translate 'come to nothing' literally as 無に来る or similar. It is not natural Japanese. Use the set phrases above.
雨でピクニックがおじゃんになった。
The picnic came to nothing because of the rain.