無(む)

む

noun, prefix

nothing, nothingness; non-, un-

1. nothing, nothingness, nonexistence, the void

The concept of absolute nothingness or nonexistence. An important concept in Buddhist philosophy and Zen, representing the absence of all things.

無(む)の境地(きょうち)に達(たっ)する。

To reach a state of nothingness.

禅(ぜん)では無(む)を悟(さと)ることが大切(たいせつ)だとされる。

In Zen, it is considered important to realize nothingness.

有(う)から無(む)は生(う)まれない。

Nothing cannot arise from something.

2. non-, un-, without, -less

As a prefix, negates or indicates the absence of what follows. Extremely productive — attaches to many nouns to form compound words.

無料(むりょう)で入場(にゅうじょう)できる。

You can enter for free.

この商品(しょうひん)は無添加(むてんか)です。

This product is additive-free.

彼(かれ)は無関心(むかんしん)な態度(たいど)をとった。

He took an indifferent attitude.

Usage

As a standalone word, 無(む) is philosophical and literary, closely tied to Buddhist and Zen thought. As a prefix, it is one of the most productive negation prefixes in Japanese, appearing in countless compounds.

Common compounds (PREFIX)

無料(むりょう): free of charge
無理(むり): impossible, unreasonable
無関心(むかんしん): indifference
無添加(むてんか): additive-free
無意味(むいみ): meaningless
無視(むし): ignoring, disregard
無限(むげん): infinite

Similar words

Contrasts with 有(う)/有(ゆう) (existence, having). Also compare with 非(ひ)～ (non-, un-) and 不(ふ)～ (un-, dis-), which are similar negation prefixes with slightly different nuances.

Related Words

Compare: 空(から) (empty)

general

Added 2026.3.19 8:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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