Translation guide
Expresses that efforts, plans, or hopes end without result or success. Japanese uses verbs and set phrases that focus on futility, waste, or vanishing.
To say that an attempt, plan, or effort resulted in nothing, was futile, or came to naught.
Literally 'become wasted/useless'. The most common way to say efforts came to nothing. Used for time, effort, money, etc.
彼の努力は無駄になった。
His efforts came to nothing.
All the preparations came to nothing.
Idiom: 'become bubbles on the water'. Vividly expresses that efforts vanished without trace. Slightly more emotive than 無駄になる.
長年の研究が水の泡になった。
Years of research came to nothing.
Literally 'end in fruitless labor'. Formal/written expression for efforts ending in vain.
その試みは徒労に終わった。
That attempt came to nothing.
Literary idiom: 'end up as a painted rice cake' (something that looks good but is inedible). Used for grand plans that come to nothing.
その計画は画餅に帰した。
The plan came to nothing.
To say that a hope, dream, or expectation turned out to be nothing, was dashed, or proved illusory.
Literally 'vanish like a dream'. Used when hopes or dreams come to nothing. Poetic but common.
彼の希望は夢と消えた。
His hopes came to nothing.
Literally 'end emptily'. Expresses that something ended without substance or result. Slightly formal.
彼の期待は空しく終わった。
His expectations came to nothing.
Literally 'vanish like bubbles'. Similar to 水の泡になる but emphasizes the fleeting nature of hopes.
彼の夢は泡と消えた。
His dream came to nothing.
To say that a planned event, meeting, or project was canceled and thus came to nothing.
Polite expression for a plan being canceled or called off. Literally 'become washed away'. Common in business and daily life.
会議はお流れになりました。
The meeting came to nothing (was canceled).
Literally 'go out (like a flame)'. Used when a plan or project fizzles out without a clear conclusion.
その話は立ち消えになった。
That matter came to nothing.
Neutral 'be canceled'. Less idiomatic than お流れ but very common.
旅行は中止になった。
The trip came to nothing (was canceled).
To say that something ended without producing any result, often after a process.
Literally 'became nothing'. Simple, colloquial way to say efforts yielded nothing.
結局、何もならなかった。
In the end, it came to nothing.
Literally 'did not bear fruit'. Formal/written expression for efforts not producing results.
彼の努力は実を結ばなかった。
His efforts came to nothing.
無駄になる is the most general and neutral. 水の泡になる is more vivid and emotional, often used when a lot of effort was invested. 徒労に終わる is formal and written.
努力が無駄になった。
Efforts were wasted.
努力が水の泡になった。
Efforts vanished into thin air.
Do not translate 'coming to nothing' literally as 無に来ている. Use the idiomatic phrases above.
私たちの苦労はすべて水の泡になった。
All our hard work came to nothing.
交渉は何もならなかった。
The negotiations came to nothing.