Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| бесполе́зный | bespoléznyj | |
| нену́жный | nenúžnyj | |
| никчёмный | nikčómnyj | [nʲɪkˈt͡ɕɵmnɨj] (narrow) |
In Russian, the choice of word for useless depends heavily on whether you are describing an object's lack of function, a person's character or a lack of necessity.
What does it mean word for word?
The word бесполе́зный is formed from the prefix бес– meaning without, the root –поль– meaning use or benefit and the adjective-forming suffix –ный.
Which one should you use?
Use бесполе́зный when describing an object or a tool that serves no purpose or is ineffective. If you mean that something is 'useless' because it is simply not needed or is superfluous, use нену́жный. When describing a person's character or abilities to imply they are worthless or have no merit, use никчёмный.
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter form of бесполе́зный is бесполе́зное.
How do you pronounce it?
bespoléznyj
Did you know?
- The word никчёмный was borrowed from Ukrainian into Russian in the late 19th or early 20th century.
- Using никчёмный to describe oneself can be a form of extreme self-deprecation or dramatic modesty in Russian literature.
- While English uses 'useless' for both things and people, calling a person бесполе́зный in Russian is much harsher than simply saying they are 'unhelpful', as it can imply they lack any functional value to society.
Examples in context
- Я никчёмный.I'm useless.This sentence is useful for expressing that one's own character is worthless using the form никчёмный.Tatoeba #3930915 by Ooneykcall, translation #2203562 by CK
- Этот предмет бесполезныйThis item is useless
- Я не видел никакой бесполезности в этом проектеI didn't see any uselessness in this project
- Эта работа – полная фигняThis job is total nonsense
- Этот ремонт бесполезныйThis repair is useless
- Бесполезность этого гаджетаThe uselessness of this gadget
- Фиговый советUseless advice
- Этот фильм – одна фигняThis movie is total nonsense
- Этот старый инструмент бесполе́зный.Etot staryy instrument bespoleznyy.This old tool is useless.
- Его совет был бесполе́зный.Yego sovet byl bespoleznyy.His advice was useless.
Example conversation
Olga and Aleksandr are looking at a broken umbrella in the hallway.
- Ольга OlgaЭтот зонт совсем бесполе́зный.Etot zont sovsem bespoleznyy.This umbrella is completely useless.
- Александр AleksandrДа, он сломан, Ольга.Da, on sloman, Olga.Yes, it is broken, Olga.
- Ольга OlgaНам нужен новый.Nam nuzhen novyy.We need a new one.
- Александр AleksandrЯ куплю его завтра, Ольга.Ya kuplyu yego zavtra, Olga.I will buy it tomorrow, Olga.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “useless” translations and entries никчёмный, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries никчёмный, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
