Spanish Conversation · Level 102
59 words
Spanish word
inutilidad
Pronunciation
IPA/inutiliˈðað/
Meaning
- feminine nounfutility
Example
Es evidente la inutilidad de seguir discutiendo.
The futility of continuing to argue is obvious.
More examples
Aceptó la inutilidad de protestar y se fue.
He accepted the futility of protesting and left.
Core concept
A state in which an action or thing produces no useful result.
Common phrases
la inutilidad de discutir
the futility of arguing
la inutilidad del esfuerzo
the futility of effort
la inutilidad de intentarlo
the futility of trying
Similar words
futilidad: Results in actions that lack meaning or value despite effort.
desperdicio: Uses up objects or time unnecessarily, producing waste.
pérdida: Leads to something being lost, producing damage or a deficit.
fracaso: Ends without achieving its purpose, marking an unsuccessful attempt.
Definition in Spanish
Cualidad o estado de aquello que no es útil; la ausencia de utilidad o provecho en una cosa, acción o idea.
Word origin
The noun is formed from the adjective inútil plus the suffix -idad, with inútil coming from Latin inutilis (in- 'not' + utilis 'useful').
Usage tips
- In everyday speech speakers usually prefer short phrases like es inútil or no sirve, while inutilidad is common in writing or when making an abstract or emphatic claim.