عديم الفائدة
adim al-fa'ida
The English word "useless" is translated into Arabic as عديم الفائدة (adim al-fa'ida).
This phrase is used to describe something or someone that is without use or possibility to be used.
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of adim (devoid/lacking) and al-fa'ida (the benefit/use).
Which one should you use?
While عديم الفائدة is a standard way to say useless, you can also use لا فائدة منه to express that there is no use in it / it is useless or provides no benefit.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a feminine noun, the first word changes to the feminine form عديمة الفائدة. The masculine plural form is عديمو الفائدة.
How do you pronounce it?
adim al-fa'ida
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, people use the word فالح (successful/clever) ironically to call someone 'useless' or 'clumsy'.
- While عديم الفائدة is the formal way to say 'useless', using it to describe a person can sound extremely harsh or even insulting in an Arabic social context compared to English.
- The root of عديم is shared with the word for 'poverty' عدم, which literally means the state of not having something.
Examples in context
- الهاتف المكسور بلا فائدة، لذا كان علي شراء واحد جديد.The broken phone was useless, so I had to buy a new one.
- لا تهدر وقتك في ذلك الموقع، إنه غير مفيد تمامًا.Don't waste your time on that website, it's completely useless.
- هذا الجهاز عديم الفائدة.hadha al-jihaz 'adim al-fa'ida.This device is useless.
- أشعر أنني عديم الفائدة اليوم.ash'uru anni 'adim al-fa'ida al-yawm.I feel useless today.
Example conversation
Ahmad and Noor are discussing a broken computer in the office.
- أحمد Ahmedيا نور، هل هذا الحاسوب لا يزال يعمل؟ya nur, hal hadha al-hasub la yazal ya'mal?Noor, is this computer still working?
- نور Nourلا، إنه عديم الفائدة تماماً الآن.la, innahu 'adim al-fa'ida tamamann al-an.No, it is completely useless now.
- أحمد Ahmedيجب أن نشتري واحداً جديداً.yajibu an nashtari wahidan jadidan.We must buy a new one.
- نور Nourأنا أتفق معك يا أحمد.ana attafiqu ma'aka ya ahmad.I agree with you, Ahmad.
