役立(やくだ)たず

やくだたず
noun
good-for-nothing; useless person; incompetent
informalqualityperson
1. good-for-nothing; useless person; useless thing
A person or thing that serves no useful purpose or fails to perform adequately.
この役立(やくだ)たず！
You're useless!
役立(やくだ)たずと言(い)われて悔(くや)しかった。
I felt frustrated at being called a good-for-nothing.
壊(こわ)れた傘(かさ)はもう役立(やくだ)たずだから捨(す)てよう。
The broken umbrella is useless now, so let's throw it away.

Formed from 役(やく)に立(た)つ (to be useful) + ず (classical negative suffix). Literally "one that doesn't serve a purpose." When directed at people, it is a strong insult. Can also describe objects that have lost their function.

Common collocations

Usage

A harsh, insulting word when directed at people. Often appears in fiction, drama, and anime. In real life, calling someone 役立(やくだ)たず is quite offensive. Can be used self-deprecatingly in a humorous context.

Similar words

  • 無能(むのう): incompetent — more formal insult
  • 使(つか)い物(もの)にならない: unusable, no good — describes things or people that don't function
  • 駄目(だめ): no good — broader and less harsh

Related Words

Compare: 無能(むのう) (incompetent)
general
Added 2026.3.29 2:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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