役に立たない
yakunitatanai
The English word "useless" can be translated into Japanese as 役に立たない (yakunitatanai).
役に立たない is used to describe something that lacks utility or has no possibility of being used. This can apply to physical objects like tools, abstract concepts like advice or even the efforts of people.
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 役に, meaning to one's use or benefit and 立たない, meaning does not stand or does not function.
Which one should you use?
役に立たない is the negative form of 役に立つ, which means "useful".
How does it change in a sentence?
To speak politely, you should use the form 役に立ちません.
How do you pronounce it?
yakunitatanai
Did you know?
- While 役に立たない describes a lack of utility, the word 無用 means 'useless' or 'unnecessary' and is often used in formal warnings, such as 'prohibited' or 'no entry'.
- If you want to describe a person as useless in a very harsh, insulting way, you might use 能無し instead of 役に立たない.
- While 役に立たない describes a lack of utility, Japanese has a specific word 駄作 'dasaku' for a 'useless' or failed piece of art, regardless of the effort spent on it.
Examples in context
- これは役に立たない。This is useless.This sentence is useful for stating that something is useless using 役に立たない.Tatoeba #2060603 by bunbuku, translation #1898085 by CK
- それは全く役に立たない。It's totally useless.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that something is totally useless using 役に立たない.Tatoeba #2221040 by Blanka_Meduzo, translation #1700284 by mookeee
- 彼の提案は役に立たない。His proposal is useless.
- このアプリは役に立たないものだ。This app is completely useless.
- 彼の計画は無駄だ。His plan is useless.
- この本、役に立たねえよ。This book is useless.
- そのガジェットは使えない。That gadget is useless.
- 彼の助言は全く役に立たない。His advice is totally useless.
- もう何もしても無駄だ。It's useless to do anything anymore.
- この古い道具は役に立たない。kono furui dougu wa yaku ni tatanai.This old tool is useless.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Yota is trying to fix a broken appliance.
- 陽太 Yotaこの機械はもう役に立たないよ。kono kikai wa mou yaku ni tatanai yo.This machine is useless now.
- 結衣 Yui本当に？修理できないのかな？hontou ni? shuuri dekinai no kana?Really? Can it not be repaired?
- 陽太 Yota部品がなくて、役に立たないんだ。buhin ga nakute, yaku ni tatanai nda.There are no parts, so it is useless.
- 結衣 Yui残念だけど、新しいのを買おう。zannen dakedo, atarashii no o kaou.That's a shame, but let's buy a new one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
