pérdida de tiempo
/peɾdida de tjempo/from spelling rulesfeminine
In Spanish, 'waste of time' is expressed as pérdida de tiempo. Wiktionary also lists desperdicio temporal.
Meaning: pointless or unproductive activity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pérdida de tiempo | /peɾdida de tjempo/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| desperdicio temporal | /despeɾdiθjo tempoɾal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /despeɾdisjo tempoɾal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
Both forms refer to an activity that is pointless or unproductive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pérdida de tiempo literally translates to 'loss of time'.
Which one should you use?
pérdida de tiempo is a feminine noun phrase, while desperdicio temporal is a masculine noun phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pérdida is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article una when saying 'a waste of time' (una pérdida de tiempo). If you want to use a verb instead of a noun to say 'to waste time', use the phrase perder el tiempo.
Did you know?
- While pérdida de tiempo means 'waste of time' in a general sense, the word temporal can also describe a violent storm or gale in Spanish.
- The word tiempo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'temperature' and the musical term 'tempo'.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, describing something as a desperdicio can sound much more harsh and dramatic than 'a waste', as it carries connotations of total ruin.
Examples in context
- Es una gran pérdida de tiempo.It's a big waste of time.This sentence shows how to describe something as a big waste of time using pérdida de tiempo.Tatoeba #7028693 by Schuager, translation #3281662 by CK
- Fue una enorme pérdida de tiempo.That was a colossal waste of time.This sentence uses pérdida de tiempo to describe a past event that was a colossal waste of time.Tatoeba #8077446 by Seael, translation #3281694 by CK
- Es una pérdida de tiempo y de dinero.It's a waste of time and money.This sentence illustrates how to combine pérdida de tiempo with a waste of money.Tatoeba #520897 by Shishir, translation #42349 by CK
- La reunión de ayer fue una pérdida de tiempo.Yesterday's meeting was a waste of time.
- El proyecto resultó ser un gran desperdicio de tiempo y recursos.The project turned out to be a huge waste of time and resources.
- Ayer vi esa película, ¡fue una pérdida de tiempo total!I watched that movie yesterday, it was a complete waste of time!
- No te molestes en ir allí, vas a perder el tiempo en vano.Don't bother going there, you'll waste your time for nothing.
- Esta clase es una pérdida de tiempo, no aprendo nada nuevo.This class is a waste of time, I don't learn anything new.
- No deberías probar ese juego, es un desperdicio de tiempo.You shouldn't try that game, it's a waste of time.
- En lugar de estudiar, pasé toda la tarde navegando por internet, una pérdida de tiempo total.Instead of studying, I spent the whole afternoon browsing the internet, a complete waste of time.
- Pensé que el seminario sería útil, pero resultó ser una pérdida de tiempo y dinero.I thought the seminar would be helpful, but it turned out to be a waste of time and money.
- No te metas en discusiones sin sentido, solo estarás perdiendo el tiempo en vano.Don't get involved in meaningless arguments, you'll just be wasting your time for nothing.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are discussing a project at work.
- DanielLucía, ¿crees que este plan funcionará?Lucía, do you think this plan will work?
- LucíaNo, creo que es una pérdida de tiempo.No, I think it is a waste of time.
- DanielTienes razón, no quiero perder más tiempo.You are right, I don't want to waste more time.
- LucíaEntonces, busquemos una mejor solución, Daniel.Then, let's look for a better solution, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waste of time” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, desperdicio, pérdida, temporal, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
