無効|むこうmukou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. no-adjective, na-adjectiveinvalid; void; ineffective; unavailable
    脅迫きょうはくのもとになされた約束やくそくは無効むこうだ。↗
    A promise given under a threat is worthless.
Conjugation
Plain form無効(むこう)
Polite (desu)無効です(むこうです)
Negative (dewa nai)無効ではない(むこうではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)無効ではありません(むこうではありません)
Past (datta)無効だった(むこうだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)無効ではなかった(むこうではなかった)
Te form (de)無効で(むこうで)
Adverbial (ni)無効に(むこうに)
Conditional (nara)無効なら(むこうなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym無駄むだNeutralWaste or futility, common in everyday speech, as in 「時間の無駄」; 無効 is about something not taking effect or having no effect.
  • Related無益むえきWrittenWritten/formal prose word for having no benefit or being futile; 無効 means losing effect or failing to work.
  • Related無用むようNeutralMeans useless or unnecessary, as in 「無用の長物」; 無効 is about validity or effect failing to hold.
  • Related虚しいむなしいNeutralDescribes emptiness or futility with a wistful, sentimental tone; 無効 is a more objective judgement.
  • Antonym有効ゆうこうNeutralThe antonym: contrasts with 無効 in whether something has effect, meaning valid or effective.

Use 「無効」 when a rule or contract does not legally take effect, as in 「契約無効」, or when a measure or medicine has no effect. For waste use 「無駄」, for lack of benefit 「無益」, for uselessness 「無用」, for wistful futility 「虚しい」; the antonym is 「有効」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 効力こうりょくの無ないこと。そのように認みとめられる状態じょうたい。
  2. 意図いとした結果けっかが出でていないさま。
  3. 法律ほうりつ行為こういや行政ぎょうせい行為こういで、1.の状態じょうたいにあること。最初さいしょから効力こうりょくがなく、誰だれもが無効むこうを主張しゅちょうしうるという点てんで、法的ほうてきな取消とりけしと異ことなる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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