Translation guide
The concept of futility—pointlessness, uselessness, or the impossibility of success—is expressed in Japanese through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that emphasize wasted effort, meaninglessness, or the inevitability of failure.
Expressing that an action or effort is pointless, useless, or will not lead to any meaningful result.
The most common and versatile word for futility. It means 'waste' or 'uselessness' and can be used as a noun or na-adjective. Often used in the phrase 無駄になる (to come to nothing) or 無駄なこと (a futile thing).
そんなことをしても無駄だ。
It's futile to do such a thing.
努力が無駄になった。
My efforts came to nothing.
Literally 'meaningless'. Emphasizes the lack of meaning or purpose, often used for actions or situations that are pointless.
その議論は無意味だ。
That argument is pointless.
A proverb meaning 'all pain and no gain', literally 'a loss of effort and a profit of fatigue'. Used for situations where hard work yields nothing but exhaustion.
このプロジェクトは骨折り損の草臥れ儲けだった。
This project was a complete waste of effort.
Expressing that a situation is hopeless, success is impossible, or resistance is futile.
A common phrase meaning 'nothing can be done', 'it's hopeless'. Used when a situation is beyond help or control.
今さら後悔してもどうにもならない。
It's no use regretting it now.
Literally 'there is no way to apply a remedy'. Used for hopeless situations, especially in medical or crisis contexts.
彼の病気はもう手の施しようがない。
His illness is beyond help now.
A dramatic phrase meaning 'resistance is futile', often used in fiction or emphatic statements.
抵抗は無駄だ。おとなしくしろ。
Resistance is futile. Be quiet.
Expressing the philosophical idea that life or existence is futile, empty, or without meaning.
Means 'nothingness' or 'nihilism'. Used in philosophical or literary contexts to describe the emptiness or futility of existence.
彼は人生の虚無を感じていた。
He felt the futility of life.
An adjective meaning 'empty', 'vain', or 'futile'. Often used to describe feelings of emptiness or the transience of life.
無駄 emphasizes waste of effort or resources, while 無意味 focuses on lack of meaning or purpose. 無駄 is more common in everyday speech.
無駄な抵抗はやめろ。
Stop your futile resistance.
無意味な議論は時間の無駄だ。
A meaningless argument is a waste of time.
English 'futility' is often translated as 無益 (mueki, 'unprofitable') or 無効 (mukou, 'invalid'), but these are less natural for general futility. 無駄 is the safest choice.
人生は空しいものだ。
Life is futile.
A Buddhist term meaning 'all things are impermanent'. Often used to express the futility of worldly pursuits.
諸行無常を感じる。
I feel the futility of all things.