Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 時間の無駄 | jikan no muda |
| 時間の浪費 | jikan no rōhi |
Both 時間の無駄 and its variations describe a pointless or unproductive activity. While 時間の無駄 is used to describe a specific situation or thing that is a waste, the compound noun 時間の無駄遣い is used to describe the actual act of wasting time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 時間の無駄 is composed of 時間 (time), the possessive particle の (of) and 無駄 (waste/uselessness).
Which one should you use?
時間の無駄 is the common way to say 'waste of time'. In contrast, 時間の浪費 is a more formal, academic or heavy-sounding term often used in writing or formal speeches to describe the 'extravagant wasting' of time. Additionally, you may encounter the informal versions 時間のロス, which uses the English word 'loss' and 時間のムダ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'It is a waste of time' in a plain, assertive way, you add the copula だ to the end of the noun phrase to get 時間の無駄だ. To say 'It was a waste of time' politely, you use the past tense polite copula でした to get 時間の無駄でした.
How do you pronounce it?
jikan no muda
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, specifically in the series 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure', the phrase 無駄だ ('It is useless/wasteful') is a famous recurring catchphrase used to emphasize an opponent's futility.
- The word 浪費 in 時間の浪費 is most commonly used for wasting money, making its use with 'time' feel particularly heavy or extravagant.
- The use of 無駄 can sometimes sound quite harsh or blunt in conversation, as it carries a strong sense of finality and judgment regarding the value of an action.
Examples in context
- 時間の無駄だった。It was a waste of time.This sentence uses the form 時間の無駄 to state that something was a waste of time.Tatoeba #9546428 by small_snow, translation #2169236 by Hybrid
- それは時間の無駄です。It's a waste of time.This sentence uses the form 時間の無駄 to state that something is a waste of time.Tatoeba #205106 by small_snow, translation #42348 by CK
- 確かに時間の無駄だな。It's certainly a waste of time.This sentence uses the form 時間の無駄 to express that something is certainly a waste of time.Tatoeba #10610370 by bunbuku, translation #42536 by CK
- 彼の説明は時間の無駄でした。His explanation was a waste of time.
- 昨日の会議は完全に時間のロスだった。Yesterday's meeting was a complete waste of time.
- あの映画は見ても時間のムダだった。Watching that movie was a waste of time.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaあの映画は時間の無駄だったね。Ano eiga wa jikan no muda datta ne.That movie was a waste of time, wasn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、全然面白くなかった。Sou dane, zenzen omoshirokunakatta.You're right, it wasn't interesting at all.
- 陽太 Yotaもっと楽しいことに時間を使おう。Motto tanoshii koto ni jikan o tsukaou.Let's use our time for something more fun.
- 陽葵 Himari賛成、陽太くんの言う通りだよ。Sansei, Youta-kun no iu toori da yo.I agree, it's just as you say, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waste of time” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
