inútil
/iˈnutil/
The English word 'pointless' is translated into Spanish as inútil.
For more formal contexts, you might use Desprovisto de sentido to convey an absence of sense or logic or Carecer de propósito to imply a lack of purpose.
Meaning: having no purpose (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
inútil literally means 'useless'.
Which one should you use?
While inútil means 'pointless' in the sense of being futile or having no effect, sin sentido is used when something lacks logic or meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective inútil must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming inútiles in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈnutil/
Did you know?
- Calling a person inútil is far more offensive than calling an object inútil. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is a harsh personal insult implying a total lack of competence or worth.
- In certain regions, saying está muerto el tema is a common way to signal that continuing a discussion is pointless because the topic is exhausted.
- While inútil means pointless or useless, Spanish speakers often use the phrase no tiene caso to describe a pointless situation.
Examples in context
- Es inútil discutir con él.It's pointless arguing with him.This sentence is useful for describing a pointless argument with a specific person using inútil.Tatoeba #614754 by clerval, translation #284459 by sundown
- Es inútil hablar de libertad con un esclavo que cree que es un hombre libre.It's pointless to talk about freedom to a slave who thinks himself a free man.This sentence uses inútil to describe the futility of talking about freedom to a person in a specific state of mind.Tatoeba #2585694 by hayastan, translation #13094818 by rul
- Es inútil discutir así con un individuo trastornado.It's pointless to argue with a disturbed individual like that.This sentence uses inútil to describe the futility of arguing with a disturbed individual.Tatoeba #6968779 by iharmonize2, translation #2397075 by AlanF_US
- Este proyecto es sin sentidoThis project is pointless
- Esta discusión está desprovista de sentidoThis discussion is pointless
- Este ejercicio carece de propósitoThis exercise is pointless
- El discurso del político fue sin ton ni sonThe politician's speech was pointless
- El argumento de esta novela no tiene pies ni cabezaThe plot of this novel is pointless
- La reunión fue sin sentido, no se llegó a ninguna conclusiónThe meeting was pointless, no conclusion was reached
- Sin ton ni son, él cambió de opinión sin ninguna razón aparentePointlessly, he changed his mind without any apparent reason
- Esta tarea carece de propósito, solo estamos perdiendo el tiempoThis task is pointless, we are just wasting time
- La discusión estaba desprovista de sentido, nadie entendía el argumentoThe discussion was pointless, no one understood the argument
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a broken appliance in their kitchen.
- Javier¿Crees que arreglar este microondas es inútil?Do you think fixing this microwave is pointless?
- LucíaSí, es un modelo muy viejo.Yes, it is a very old model.
- JavierEntonces no gastaremos más dinero en él.Then we won't spend more money on it.
- LucíaMe parece la decisión más inteligente.I think that is the smartest decision.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry inútil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
