inutile
/i.ny.til/
The English word useless is translated into French as inutile. Wiktionary also lists inutilisable.
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| inutile | /i.ny.til/ |
| inutilisable | /i.ny.ti.li.zabl/ |
The term inutile is used to describe something that is without use or lacks the possibility of being used. While inutile often refers to things in a general or abstract sense, such as a useless effort, it can also be used to describe people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word inutile is composed of the prefix in- (not) and utile (useful).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between inutile and inutilisable. Use inutile for something that is useless in a general or abstract sense. Use inutilisable to specifically describe something that is unusable, often because it is broken or damaged.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of inutile, add an s to create inutiles.
How do you pronounce it?
/i.ny.til/
Did you know?
- While inutile describes a lack of purpose, French uses the term caduc for things that are useless because they have expired or become obsolete, such as a law.
- French speakers may use the phrase c'est inutile to politely tell someone that a gesture or a gift is not necessary, rather than calling it useless.
- French often uses the expression à quoi bon to ask 'what is the use', which conveys a sense of futility that inutile alone does not express.
Examples in context
- Tu as été inutile.You were useless.This sentence uses inutile to describe a person.Tatoeba #7079935 by Aiji, translation #2255294 by CK
- Tu es déjà inutile.You're already useless.Tatoeba #467374 by sacredceltic, translation #466464 by FeuDRenais
- Je me sens inutile.I feel useless.This sentence uses inutile to describe a feeling of being useless.Tatoeba #4681809 by sacredceltic, translation #2326022 by CK
- Ce livre est nul.This book is useless.
- Ce gadget est vraiment nul, il ne fonctionne jamais correctement.This gadget is really useless, it never works properly.
- Cet outil est bon à rien.This tool is useless.
- Tu es bon(ne) à rien.You are useless.
- Je n'embaucherais pas cet employé, il est bon à rien.I wouldn't hire this employee, he is useless.
- Cette méthode est inutile pour résoudre ce problème complexe.This method is useless for solving this complex problem.
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are looking at a broken kitchen tool.
- ChloéCet outil est complètement inutile.This tool is completely useless.
- NathanTu as raison, il est cassé.You are right, it is broken.
- ChloéC'est vraiment inutile de le réparer.It is really useless to repair it.
- NathanJe vais en acheter un nouveau.I am going to buy a new one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “useless” translations and entries inutile, inutilisable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
