How to say "pointless" in Japanese

• 甲斐無いかいない
  i-adjectiveCovers 'pointless' in the sense of futile or not worth the trouble — an effort that brings no result or reward. It can also mean simply 'worthless'.
• 実のないみのない
  expression, i-adjectiveReally means 'insubstantial' — lacking substance or content. It suits 'pointless' only in the sense of empty, with nothing in it; for other senses it is not the word you want.
  もうよろしくてよ。実じつのない会話かいわにはうんざりですわ。↗

  That is enough. I have had it with fruitless conversation.
• 意味ないいみない
  i-adjectiveThe most direct choice when 'pointless' means 'there is no point in it': an action or effort that serves no purpose and achieves nothing. It states this flatly.
• しょうもない
  expression, i-adjectiveA broad, dismissive word covering stupid, worthless, and meaningless at once; it fits 'pointless' when the feeling is 'that's just silly — no use in it.' Usually written in kana alone.
  あぁ……、若わかかったとはいえ、しょうもない凡ミスぼんみすだ。↗

  Ahh ... well I was young but what a stupid mistake.
• 仕方のないしかたのない
  expression, prenominal modifierEssentially means 'it can't be helped' or 'there's no use' — nothing can be done. As 'pointless' it is marginal: choose it only when that is exactly the sense you mean.

All five Japanese equivalents are less common choices; pick by sense: no meaning or purpose (「意味ない」), effort not worth making (「甲斐無い」), empty content (「実のない」), a dismissive 'how silly' (「しょうもない」), or 'no use, it can't be helped' (「仕方のない」).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 甲斐無いかいないworthless
• 実のないみのないinsubstantial
• 意味ないいみないmeaningless
• しょうもないstupid
• 仕方ないしかたないit's no use (doing)
• 仕方がないしかたがないit's no use (doing)
• しょうがないit's no use (doing)
• 仕方のないしかたのないpointless
• 誰得だれとくpointless
• 致し方ないいたしかたないit's no use (doing)
• つまらないuseless
• つまらぬuseless
• つまらんuseless