i-adjective
wasteful; a waste
Expresses regret that something valuable is not being used well or is being thrown away. Common in everyday speech.
まだ食べられるのに捨てるのはもったいない。
It's wasteful to throw it away when it's still edible.
時間が
Let's start soon because time is too precious to waste.
i-adjective
too good for; more than one deserves; unworthy of
Used when someone or something is considered too good or valuable for the current situation or recipient. Often implies humility or praise.
私にはもったいないような素敵な人です。
She is such a wonderful person that I feel she's too good for me.
こんな高級なワインを私が飲むのはもったいない。
It's too good for me to drink such a high-class wine.
i-adjective
sacrilegious; impious; profane
Rare, archaic sense expressing that something is irreverent or disrespectful toward something sacred or highly esteemed. Mostly found in older texts.
神仏を粗末に扱うとはもったいない。
It is sacrilegious to treat the gods and Buddha carelessly.