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Words Kanji Guides About

益体 (やくたい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

益やく体たい

や

く

た

い

Meanings

1

noun

usefulness; utility; orderliness; propriety

Almost exclusively used in the negative phrase 益体もない (やくたいもない), meaning 'useless', 'good-for-nothing', or 'disorderly'. The standalone noun is rare.

See also: 益体もない

彼かれは益やく体たいもないことばかり言いっている。
He's always saying useless things.
そんな益やく体たいもない計けい画かくはやめたほうがいい。
You'd better give up such a pointless plan.

Written forms

益やく体たいUsage15%
Rare kanji spelling; almost always used in the negative phrase 益体もない.
やくたいUsage85%
Kana spelling is common for this word, especially in the phrase やくたいもない.

Kanji

益benefit, gain, profit
体

body, substance, object

Similar words

役やくに立たつ
Common expression for 'useful'. 益体 is archaic and almost never used positively.
無む駄だ
Common word for 'useless' or 'wasteful'. 益体もない is a stronger, more dismissive expression.

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 益 (benefit) and 体 (form/appearance) suggest 'beneficial form', but the word is now fossilized in the negative phrase 益体もない.