How to say "wasted" in Japanese

• 台無しだいなしJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'wasted' when something with value or promise, such as a chance, ends up spoiled or ruined, its value destroyed. The nuance is of something good being wrecked, not merely left unused.
  風かぜやら雨あめやらで旅行りょこうは台無だいなしだった。↗

  What with the wind and the rain, our trip was spoiled.
• だめJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'wasted' as in vain or purposeless: an effort or attempt comes to nothing, or something is judged hopeless. Typical context: trying something, failing, and concluding the time spent was for nothing.
  もうだめだ。↗

  It's all over.

Use 「台無し」 for something valuable or promising, such as a chance, that gets spoiled or ruined outright; use 「だめ」 for wasted in the sense of in vain, hopeless, or purposeless, when effort comes to nothing.

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

• 台無しだいなしspoiled
• ラリパッパhigh (on drugs)
• だめhopeless