Translation guide
How to express 'wasting time' in Japanese, from casual procrastination to formal delays.
Spending time without purpose, often for enjoyment or relaxation.
Literally 'to crush time', this is the most common way to say 'kill time' or 'waste time' in a casual sense, often while waiting for something.
I killed time at a café.
A noun meaning 'killing time' or 'pastime'. Often used in the phrase 暇つぶしをする.
I played games to kill time.
To spend time lazily or idly, often with a negative connotation of being unproductive.
I spent the day off lazing around at home.
Using time in a way that yields no benefit, often with regret.
The direct translation of 'waste time'. It implies a clear loss of valuable time.
I wasted time in the meeting.
A noun phrase meaning 'a waste of time'. Often used in statements like 'It's a waste of time.'
Doing that is a waste of time.
Primarily means 'waste' (of money, resources), but can be used with 時間 to mean 'wasting time'.
Putting off tasks, leading to wasted time.
Causing another person to lose time.
時間を潰す is for killing time casually, often while waiting. 時間を無駄にする is for wasting time unproductively, with a sense of loss. Use 潰す when you're just passing time, and 無駄にする when you regret it.
I killed time while waiting for the train.
I wasted time looking at my phone.
Saying 時間を無駄にする when you mean 'kill time' can sound overly negative. If you're just passing time pleasantly, use 時間を潰す or 暇つぶし.
It's a waste of time.
ぐずぐずしてないで、早くしなさい。
Stop wasting time and hurry up.
I'm sorry to have wasted your time/troubled you.