Translation guide
Describes something that does not produce desired results, or a person/activity that achieves little. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether you mean inefficient, fruitless, or a person who doesn't get things done.
Describing work, meetings, efforts, etc. that don't lead to useful outcomes.
Direct equivalent; formal and often used in business or academic contexts.
Today's meeting was unproductive.
Literally 'fruitless'; emphasizes lack of tangible results. Slightly more literary.
The unproductive discussion continued.
Means 'low productivity'; used for systems, processes, or people.
This method is unproductive.
Means 'wasteful' or 'futile'; often used for efforts that yield nothing.
It was an unproductive effort.
Describing someone who is lazy, inefficient, or fails to produce results.
Common way to say someone is incompetent or unproductive at work.
He is unproductive (at work).
Directly says 'has no productivity'; more formal.
That employee is unproductive.
Means 'incompetent'; stronger and more insulting than 'unproductive'.
He is unproductive/incompetent.
Referring to land, factories, or capital that does not generate output.
Calling someone 非生産的 (hiseisanteki) sounds unnatural and overly direct. Use 仕事ができない or describe the situation instead.