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.
無駄話はやめて仕事をしなさい。
Stop chatting and get to work.
同僚と無駄話をしていたら上司に注意された。
I was scolded by my boss for chitchatting with a colleague.
たまには無駄話でもしながらのんびり過ごすのもいい。
Sometimes it's nice to spend time relaxing and just chatting about nothing.
USAGE:
無駄話 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:
- 無駄話をする (to make idle talk)
- 無駄話が多い (to talk too much idly)
- 無駄話はやめろ (stop the chitchat)
WORD FORMATION:
無駄 (futile, pointless) + 話 (talk). The は becomes ば through rendaku.
SIMILAR WORDS:
雑談 (casual conversation) is more neutral and common. おしゃべり} (chatting) is lighthearted. {無駄話 specifically emphasizes the lack of purpose.