無駄話(むだばなし)

むだばなし
noun
idle talk; chitchat; pointless chatter
communication
1. idle talk; chitchat; pointless chatter
Conversation that serves no productive purpose. Can be mildly negative (wasting time) or neutral (casual socializing), depending on context.
無駄話(むだばなし)はやめて仕事(しごと)をしなさい。
Stop chatting and get to work.
同僚(どうりょう)と無駄話(むだばなし)をしていたら上司(じょうし)に注意(ちゅうい)された。
I was scolded by my boss for chitchatting with a colleague.
たまには無駄話(むだばなし)でもしながらのんびり過(す)ごすのもいい。
Sometimes it's nice to spend time relaxing and just chatting about nothing.

Usage

無駄話(むだばなし) implies the conversation has no particular point or purpose. In work settings it is negative (time-wasting), but socially it can be neutral or even positive (enjoying casual conversation).

Common collocations

  • 無駄話(むだばなし)をする (to make idle talk)
  • 無駄話(むだばなし)が多(おお)い (to talk too much idly)
  • 無駄話(むだばなし)はやめろ (stop the chitchat)

Forms

無駄(むだ) (futile, pointless) + 話(はなし) (talk). The は becomes ば through rendaku.

Similar words

雑談(ざつだん) (casual conversation) is more neutral and common. おしゃべり (chatting) is lighthearted. 無駄話(むだばなし) specifically emphasizes the lack of purpose.

Related Words

Synonym: 雑談(ざつだん) (casual chat, neutral)
Compare: 空話(からばなし) (idle talk)
general
Added 2026.3.12 18:01 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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