Translation guide
The English phrase 'waste of time' describes an activity that is pointless, unproductive, or not worth doing. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that convey futility or inefficiency. The most common and direct equivalent is 時間の無駄, but other expressions vary by nuance and formality.
時間の無駄だ。
It's a waste of time.
To say that something is a pointless or unproductive use of time.
The most direct and common translation. Used in both casual and formal contexts to describe an activity that is a waste of time.
そんなことをするのは時間の無駄だ。
Doing that is a waste of time.
The meeting was a waste of time.
Literally 'wasted time', often used to describe a period of time that was spent unproductively.
無駄な時間を過ごしてしまった。
I ended up wasting time.
A noun/adjective meaning 'waste' or 'futility'. Can be used alone when context makes it clear you're talking about time.
それは無駄だよ。
That's a waste (of time).
A verb phrase meaning 'to waste time'. Useful when describing the action of wasting time.
ゲームで時間を無駄にした。
I wasted time on games.
To emphasize that an action is not only a waste of time but also hopeless or pointless.
Literally 'wasted bones/effort'. Used when effort yields no result. Stronger than 時間の無駄.
説得しようとしても無駄骨だ。
Trying to persuade him is a waste of time and effort.
A proverb meaning 'all pain and no gain'. Very expressive but less common in daily speech.
このプロジェクトは骨折り損のくたびれ儲けだった。
This project was a complete waste of time and effort.
To describe an activity that is not only unproductive but also dull or annoying.
Combines 'boring' with 'waste of time' to emphasize the unpleasantness.
その講義は退屈な時間の無駄だった。
That lecture was a boring waste of time.
To say that an activity is not worth the time investment.
Means 'not worth doing'. Often used when the outcome doesn't justify the time spent.
そんなリスクを負ってまでやる価値はない。
It's not worth the time to take that risk.
Literally 'not worth allocating time'. More formal and explicit about time.
この問題に時間を割く価値はない。
This issue isn't worth spending time on.
The English verb 'waste' can be translated as 無駄にする, but in Japanese, it's more natural to use the noun phrase 時間の無駄 or the adjective 無駄な. Using 浪費する (to squander) is possible but sounds more formal or literary.
時間の無駄 is a noun phrase meaning 'a waste of time' (the act or thing). 無駄な時間 is an adjective-noun phrase meaning 'wasted time' (the time itself). Use 時間の無駄 to judge an activity, and 無駄な時間 to describe a period.
会議は時間の無駄だ。
The meeting is a waste of time.
無駄な時間を過ごした。
I spent wasted time.
彼と議論するのは時間の無駄だ。
Arguing with him is a waste of time.
これ以上時間を無駄にしたくない。
I don't want to waste any more time.