Translation guide
The concept of futility—pointlessness, uselessness, or the impossibility of success—is expressed in Japanese through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that emphasize wasted effort, meaninglessness, or the inevitability of failure.
Expressing that an action or effort is pointless, useless, or will not lead to any meaningful result.
The most common and versatile word for futility. It means 'waste' or 'uselessness' and can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Often used in the phrase 無駄になる (to come to nothing) or 無駄なこと (a futile thing).
It's futile to do such a thing.
My efforts came to nothing.
Literally 'meaningless'. Emphasizes the lack of meaning or purpose, often used for actions or situations that are pointless.
That argument is pointless.
A proverb meaning 'all pain and no gain', literally 'a loss of effort and a profit of fatigue'. Used for situations where hard work yields nothing but exhaustion.
This project was a complete waste of effort.
Expressing that a situation is hopeless, success is impossible, or resistance is futile.
A common phrase meaning 'nothing can be done', 'it's hopeless'. Used when a situation is beyond help or control.
It's no use regretting it now.
A dramatic phrase meaning 'resistance is futile', often used in fiction or emphatic statements.
Resistance is futile. Be quiet.
Expressing the philosophical idea that life or existence is futile, empty, or without meaning.
Means 'nothingness' or 'nihilism'. Used in philosophical or literary contexts to describe the emptiness or futility of existence.
He felt the futility of life.
An adjective meaning 'empty', 'vain', or 'futile'. Often used to describe feelings of emptiness or the transience of life.
A Buddhist term meaning 'all things are impermanent'. Often used to express the futility of worldly pursuits.
無駄 emphasizes waste of effort or resources, while 無意味 focuses on lack of meaning or purpose. 無駄 is more common in everyday speech.
Stop your futile resistance.
A meaningless argument is a waste of time.
English 'futility' is often translated as 無益 (mueki, 'unprofitable') or 無効 (mukou, 'invalid'), but these are less natural for general futility. 無駄 is the safest choice.
Literally 'there is no way to apply a remedy'. Used for hopeless situations, especially in medical or crisis contexts.
His illness is beyond help now.
人生は空しいものだ。
Life is futile.
I feel the futility of all things.