Japanese word

虚しい

Pronunciation

Romajimunashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivefutile

Example

結果が出ない努力は虚しいです。kek ka ga de na i do ryoku wa muna shi i de su

Efforts that produce no results are futile.

Illustration for 虚しい (futile)

More examples

目標を失うと、毎日の生活が虚しいです。moku hyō o ushina u to mai nichi no sei katsu ga muna shi i de su

When I lose sight of my goal, my daily life feels empty.

Core concept

Expresses the lack of a worthwhile result together with the emptiness felt because of it.

Common phrases

  • 虚しい努力muna shi i do ryoku

    futile effort

  • 虚しく過ごすmuna shi ku su go su

    spend time in vain

  • 虚しい気持ちmuna shi i ki mo chi

    empty feeling

Similar words

甲斐ないkainai: Describes an effort that produces no worthwhile result.
味気ないajikenai: Describes an experience that lacks interest or emotional satisfaction.
物足りないmonotarinai: Describes something that fails to provide enough satisfaction or fulfillment.

Definition in Japanese

望んだ結果が得られず、心に満足感や手応えがないさま。nozo n da kek ka ga e ra re zu kokoro ni man zoku kan ya te gota e ga na i sa ma

Word origin

The word 虚しい (munashii) comes from the older form 虚し (munashi); its base 虚 (muna, "empty") gives the word its sense of lacking substance or fulfillment.

Usage tips

  • 虚しい (munashii) applies not only to efforts with no result but also to experiences that leave a person without satisfaction or emotional fulfillment.

Other meanings

  • emptyi-adjective

Opposites

  • 有意義yūigimeaningfulna-adjective

Related words

  • 虚しさmunashisaemptinessnoun

Word lists with this word