inutile
/iˈnu.ti.le/
The English word 'useless' is translated into Italian as inutile.
The adjective inutile is used to describe things that are without use or possibility to be used. It can describe an object that has no function, or it can be used to describe an action that is pointless or futile.
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix in- (not) and utile (useful).
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular form is inutile, the plural form is inutili.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /iˈnu.ti.le/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the phrase è inutile is often used as a polite but firm way to shut down a conversation or stop someone from trying to persuade you, effectively meaning 'don't even bother'.
- The phrase non è inutile is a common Italian rhetorical device called litotes, where saying something is 'not useless' actually means it is very useful or important.
- In Italian, calling a person inutile can sound much more biting and personal than the English 'useless', often implying the person is a complete burden to society.
Examples in context
- È inutile per me.That is useless to me.This example shows how to use inutile when something is useless to a person.Tatoeba #3367692 by Guybrush88, translation #1972310 by FlamingTofu
- È del tutto inutile.He's totally useless.This example uses inutile to describe someone being totally useless.Tatoeba #13521853 by Guybrush88, translation #9004164 by helloroto
- È bello, ma inutile.It's beautiful, but useless.This example shows how to use inutile to describe something that is beautiful but lacks utility.Tatoeba #13726652 by Guybrush88, translation #13723895 by carlosalberto
- Questa macchina è completamente inutile.This machine is completely useless.
- La sua opinione è inutile in questa discussione.His/her opinion is useless in this discussion.
- Ho acquistato un libro inutile.I bought a useless book.
- Quella festa è stata inutilissima, non è successo nulla!That party was absolutely useless, nothing happened!
- Provare a convincerlo è infruttuoso, non cambierà idea.Trying to convince him is useless, he won't change his mind.
- Ho sprecato ore in un tentativo infruttuoso di risolvere il problema.I wasted hours in a useless attempt to solve the problem.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are looking at a broken kitchen appliance.
- GiuliaQuesto vecchio frigo è proprio inutile.This old fridge is truly useless.
- AlessandroHai ragione, non funziona più.You're right, it doesn't work anymore.
- GiuliaDobbiamo comprarne uno nuovo.We need to buy a new one.
- AlessandroSì, ripararlo sarebbe inutile.Yes, repairing it would be useless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “useless” translations and entries inutile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
