Spanish word

improductivo

Pronunciation

IPA/impɾoðukˈtiβo/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunproductive

Example

Es improductivo gastar tanto tiempo.

It is unproductive to spend so much time.

Illustration for improductivo (unproductive)

More examples

Pasar horas en redes sociales suele ser improductivo.

Spending hours on social media is usually unproductive.

Core concept

A barren field with no harvest.

Common phrases

  • resulta improductivo

    proves unproductive

  • es improductivo perder tiempo

    unproductive to waste time

Similar words

inútil: Serves no practical purpose or use.
ineficaz: Fails to produce the intended or expected effect.

Definition in Spanish

Que resulta inútil o poco productivo en una acción determinada; que no da frutos ni beneficios prácticos.

Word origin

Formed from the negative prefix im- (assimilation of Latin in-) plus productivo, ultimately from Latin producere 'to bring forth', so meaning not producing results.

Usage tips

  • In spoken Spanish people often use phrases like "no sirvió" or "no valió la pena", and improductivo sounds more formal when judging an action's outcome.

Other meanings

  • uselessadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word