無駄
muda[mɯ̟da̠]
The Japanese word muda means useless, futility or waste.
muda is used to describe the futility or uselessness of an action or resource. It is important to distinguish this from mottainai, which expresses regret over wasting a resource that should be valued. Use 無駄な (muda-na) when you want to use it as an adjective to modify a noun.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 無駄 is composed of the kanji 無 (mu), meaning 'none' or 'without' and 駄 (da), which historically refers to goods or things.
How does it change in a sentence?
When modifying a noun, the word takes the particle 'na' to become 無駄な (muda-na).
How do you pronounce it?
muda
Did you know?
- In the popular series 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure', the character Dio frequently shouts muda muda muda while attacking. This has turned the word into a global internet meme representing overwhelming superiority.
- In Japanese manufacturing, specifically within the 'Toyota Production System', the term 'muda' is used as a formal technical category. It refers to any activity that consumes resources without adding value to the final product.
- The kanji used to write 無駄 are ateji, meaning they were chosen for their sounds rather than their original literal meanings.
Examples in context
- 彼の努力は全くむだだ。His efforts are completely in vain.
- この作業は無駄ですので止めましょう。Let's stop this task as it is futile.
- その試みは完全にだめだよ。That attempt is completely useless.
- もう諦めた方がいい、無駄だよ。It's better to give up, it's a waste of time.
- そんなことをするのは無駄だ。Sonna koto o suru no wa muda da.Doing something like that is a waste.
- 無駄な努力はやめなさい。Muda na doryoku wa yamenasai.Stop making useless efforts.
- 時間は無駄にできない。Jikan wa muda ni dekinai.I cannot waste time.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a difficult puzzle.
- 結衣 Yuiこのパズル、全然解けないよ。Kono pazuru, zenzen tokenai yo.I can't solve this puzzle at all.
- 健太 Kenta諦めるのは無駄だと思うよ。Akirameru no wa muda da to omou yo.I think giving up would be a waste.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、もう三時間も使ったよ。Demo, mō san-jikan mo tsukatta yo.But I've already spent three hours on it.
- 健太 Kentaあと少しで解けるはずだよ。Ato sukoshi de tokeru hazu da yo.You should be able to solve it soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 無駄, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 無駄, CC BY-SA 4.0.
