Translation guide
Expresses that efforts, plans, or hopes end without achieving any result. Japanese uses several verbs and set phrases depending on whether the failure is due to futility, collapse, or gradual fading.
To say that something attempted or planned ultimately fails or produces no result.
Literally 'become wasted'. Very common for efforts, time, or money that end up being for nothing.
彼の努力はすべて無駄になった。
All his efforts came to nothing.
Even though we prepared, it came to nothing because of the rain.
Idiom meaning 'turn into bubbles on water', i.e., vanish without trace. Emphasizes the complete disappearance of hopes or efforts.
長年の研究が水の泡になった。
Years of research came to nothing.
Literally 'end in fruitless labor'. Formal and somewhat literary, used in writing or serious contexts.
交渉は徒労に終わった。
The negotiations came to nothing.
To say that a plan, project, or scheme falls apart or fails to materialize.
Literally 'go out (like a flame)'. Used when plans or projects fizzle out without a clear conclusion.
その計画は立ち消えになった。
The plan came to nothing.
話はそのまま立ち消えになった。
The discussion just fizzled out and came to nothing.
Colloquial, slightly rough. Means a plan is ruined or comes to nothing, often suddenly.
Literally 'become a reset on an abacus'. Means a plan is scrapped and you start over from zero. Somewhat dated or dramatic.
契約はご破算になった。
The contract came to nothing.
To express that something hoped for does not happen, leaving disappointment.
Literally 'vanish like a dream'. Poetic and common for hopes or aspirations that come to nothing.
彼の夢は夢と消えた。
His dream came to nothing.
Means 'vanish fleetingly'. Used for transient hopes or efforts that end without result.
期待ははかなく消えた。
My expectations came to nothing.
無駄になる focuses on the waste of effort or resources. 立ち消えになる focuses on the plan or project itself disappearing without a clear end. Use 無駄になる when you want to emphasize the futility, and 立ち消えになる when the thing just fades away.
努力が無駄になった。
My efforts came to nothing (were wasted).
計画が立ち消えになった。
The plan came to nothing (fizzled out).
Do not translate 'come to nothing' literally as 無に来る or similar. It is not natural Japanese. Use the set phrases above.
The picnic came to nothing because of the rain.