Translation guide
The English word "waste" covers several distinct meanings: using resources poorly, unwanted materials, bodily waste, and wasting time. Japanese uses different words for each, and some common English phrases have no direct equivalent.
Express that something is used carelessly, excessively, or without good purpose, leading to loss.
The most common and versatile word for wastefulness. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Often appears in set phrases.
Let's stop wasting electricity.
That's a waste of money.
Verb phrase meaning 'to waste something'. Used when the object is explicitly wasted.
You mustn't waste food.
I wasted time.
An adjective expressing regret over waste. It conveys a sense that something valuable is not being used properly. Often used as an exclamation.
It's a waste to throw it away when it's still usable.
A more formal verb for squandering resources, especially money or time. Often used in written contexts.
He wasted his salary on gambling.
Express that time is used unproductively or on something unimportant.
The standard way to say 'waste time'. Literally 'make time useless'.
Don't waste your time on that.
Means 'to kill time', often in a neutral or slightly positive sense of filling free time. Not necessarily negative waste.
Similar to 暇をつぶす but explicitly with 'time'. Can imply wasting time when context is negative.
I wasted time playing games.
Refer to unwanted or discarded materials, especially in environmental or industrial contexts.
General word for trash, garbage, or rubbish. Used in everyday life.
Please separate your waste.
Formal term for waste materials, often used in legal, industrial, or environmental contexts.
Unwanted items, things no longer needed. Often used for bulky waste or items for disposal.
Refer to excrement in a medical, childcare, or polite context.
Polite, clinical term for bodily waste. Used in medical or formal situations.
Please be careful when handling bodily waste.
Literally 'large and small business', a euphemism for feces and urine. Common in healthcare.
Childish word for poop. Used with children or in very casual contexts.
Describe progressive physical decline, often due to illness.
Express complete destruction, often in a literary or dramatic context.
While 時間の無駄 is correct, English speakers often overuse it. In many cases, Japanese prefers a more specific verb or phrase. For example, instead of 'That movie was a waste of time', say あの映画はつまらなかった (That movie was boring).
無駄 focuses on the objective fact of waste, while もったいない expresses a subjective feeling of regret. Use もったいない when you want to show emotional reaction to waste.
It's such a waste to throw away food that's still edible.
Don't waste your money on that.
This is a waste of time.
Separate your waste for recycling.
What a waste!
I killed time at a café.
産業廃棄物の処理
industrial waste disposal
不用品を回収してもらった。
I had my unwanted items collected.
to help someone with their toilet needs
The dog pooped.
心配でやつれてしまった。
I've wasted away from worry.