没用
méi yòng
The English word 'useless' is translated into Chinese as 没用 (méi yòng).
没用 is used to describe something that is without use or possibility to be used. This applies to inanimate objects that lack utility as well as to people who are perceived as incompetent or unhelpful. You can add the word 真 (zhēn) before 没用 to say 'really useless', which is often used to express frustration regarding someone's incompetence.
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 没 (méi), meaning 'not have' and 用 (yòng), meaning 'use'.
Which one should you use?
While 没用 is the common way to say 'useless' or 'of no use', the term 无用 (wú yòng) is a more formal and literary way to express the same concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 没用 as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'a useless thing', you must add the particle 的 (de) after it.
How do you pronounce it?
méi yòng
Did you know?
- The concept of 'uselessness' is actually a celebrated virtue in Daoist philosophy, where 'useless' objects are preserved because they have no value to exploit.
- While 没用 describes a lack of utility, the term 废物 (fèiwù) is often used as a harsh insult to call a person 'useless' by literally calling them 'waste material'.
- In modern internet slang, people may use a playful or exaggerated tone with 没用 to describe 'useless' but cute items that serve no purpose other than aesthetic joy.
Examples in context
- 汤姆真没用！Tom's useless!This sentence shows how to express frustration with a person's incompetence using 没用.Tatoeba #11524959 by Attack_Infantry, translation #10494688 by terrywallwork
- 你已经没用了。You're already useless.Tatoeba #466463 by GlossaMatik, translation #466464 by FeuDRenais
- 这就是没用的。That's just useless.Tatoeba #2221045 by joulin, translation #2230014 by CM
- 我觉得这个方法对我们的项目无用。I think this method is useless for our project.
- 这个方案在实践中被证明是无效的。This plan has been proved to be ineffective in practice.
- 别听他说了，他就是个废物。Don't listen to him, he's just useless.
- 这个东西我买回来后发现没用。I found this thing useless after I bought it.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
志强 is trying to fix a broken remote control.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个遥控器看起来没用。Zhège yáokòngqì kàn qǐlái méiyòng.This remote control looks useless.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你确定它坏了吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ quèdìng tā huàile ma?Zhiqiang, are you sure it's broken?
- 志强 Zhiqiang试了很久，它还是没用。Shìle hěnjiǔ, tā háishì méiyòng.I've tried for a long time, but it's still useless.
- 雨婷 Yuting那我们买个新的吧。Nà wǒmen mǎi gè xīn de ba.Then let's buy a new one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
