Cette page dans ta langue
English فارسی العربية Deutsch Español 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 adjective #2,500 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

没有用

méiyǒu yòng
At the A1 level, learners should understand '没有用' as a simple way to say 'not useful'. It is often used to describe physical objects that don't work, like a broken pen or a dead battery. The structure is usually very simple: 'Subject + 没有用'. Learners at this stage should focus on the literal meaning: 'No have use'. It's a great phrase for basic shopping or asking for help when something isn't working as expected. You might hear it in a classroom when a student says their computer is '没有用' because it won't turn on.
At the A2 level, you begin to use '没有用' to describe abstract things like advice, ideas, or actions. You start using the '对...没有用' (useless for...) structure. This allows you to express that while something might be useful for others, it isn't useful for you specifically. You also learn to use '也没有用' to express that even if you do something, the result won't change. This level is about expanding the utility of the phrase from physical objects to social interactions and simple problem-solving scenarios.
By B1, you should be comfortable using '没有用' in more complex sentences involving conjunctions like '虽然...但是...' (Although... but...). You also start to distinguish between '没有用' and more specific terms like '没效果' (no effect) or '没意义' (meaningless). You can use it to express frustration in a more nuanced way, such as '说这些已经没有用了' (Saying these things is already useless). You understand the emotional weight the phrase can carry in a conversation, especially when dismissing someone's suggestions.
At B2, you recognize '没有用' in professional and semi-formal contexts. You understand how it functions in logical arguments to dismiss a hypothesis or a strategy. You can also use it to describe systemic issues, such as '这种政策对解决问题没有用' (This kind of policy is useless for solving the problem). You are aware of the potential for the phrase to sound rude and know how to soften it using adverbs like '可能' (possibly) or '似乎' (seems). You also start encountering the literary equivalent '无用'.
At the C1 level, you understand the philosophical and rhetorical uses of '没有用'. You might explore the 'Utility of the Useless' (无用之用) in Taoist philosophy, where '没有用' is seen as a form of protection or a different kind of value. You can use the phrase to critique complex social phenomena or to engage in high-level debates about efficiency versus intrinsic value. Your usage is precise, and you can distinguish between '没有用' (useless), '没必要' (unnecessary), and '不值得' (not worth it) in subtle contexts.
At the C2 level, '没有用' is a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it ironically, sarcastically, or with deep poetic resonance. You understand its role in classical literature and modern idioms. You can analyze how the concept of 'utility' (用) has shifted in Chinese culture over time. You use the phrase with native-level fluency, perfectly matching the register to the situation, whether it's a heated political debate or a delicate emotional counseling session. You are fully aware of every connotation and subtext the phrase carries.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

没有用 en 30 secondes

  • Literally means 'not have use', used for useless things.
  • Commonly shortened to '没用' in casual speech.
  • Can describe objects, ideas, or actions.
  • Often used with '对' to show who it's useless for.

The phrase 没有用 (méiyǒu yòng) is a fundamental Chinese expression that literally translates to "not have use." In practical application, it serves as a versatile adjective or predicate describing things, actions, or ideas that are useless, ineffective, futile, or unhelpful. It is composed of three characters: 没 (méi) meaning 'not', 有 (yǒu) meaning 'to have', and 用 (yòng) meaning 'use' or 'utility'. When combined, they create a powerful negation of value or function.

Literal Breakdown
没有 (Not have) + 用 (Use/Utility) = No utility.
Grammatical Function
Primarily functions as a predicate (e.g., 'This thing is useless') or an attributive adjective (e.g., 'Useless things').
Tone and Nuance
Can range from a neutral observation of fact to a sharp, dismissive expression of frustration.

"这个方法对他没有用。"

(This method is useless for him.)

In a broader sense, 没有用 describes the failure of an object or strategy to achieve its intended purpose. If a key doesn't open a lock, it is 没有用. If advice is ignored and the situation remains unchanged, the advice was 没有用. It is one of the first phrases learners acquire to express dissatisfaction or to evaluate the efficiency of tools and methods in daily life.

哭是没有用的，我们要想办法。

Furthermore, the term can be applied to people in a derogatory sense (meaning 'incompetent' or 'good-for-nothing'), though this is quite harsh and should be used with extreme caution. Usually, it refers to the efficacy of an action. For instance, '说也没用' (Talking is useless) implies that communication will not change the outcome. This reflects a pragmatic worldview where utility is a primary measure of value.

Using 没有用 correctly involves understanding its position in a sentence and how it interacts with different subjects. The most common structure is [Subject] + 没有用. Unlike English, you don't always need a linking verb like 'is', because '没有用' already contains the verb 'have'.

Basic Predicate
电脑坏了，没有用了。(The computer is broken; it's useless.)
Attributive Use
不要买这些没有用的东西。(Don't buy these useless things.)
Targeting an Audience
对 + [Person] + 没有用 (Useless to/for someone).

When you want to say something is useless for a specific person or situation, use the preposition 对 (duì). For example: "这种药对他没有用" (This medicine is useless for him). This highlights that utility is often subjective or situational.

你跟我说这些没有用，你应该去跟老板说。

Another common pattern is [Verb] + 也没有用, which translates to "Even [Verb]-ing is useless." This is used to express that an action will be futile regardless of the effort. Example: "现在后悔也没有用了" (It's useless to regret it now). This structure is vital for expressing resignation or realism in difficult circumstances.

You will encounter 没有用 in a vast array of contexts, from domestic arguments to technical support centers. It is a high-frequency phrase because it addresses the core concept of functionality.

  • In the Kitchen: "这个刀太钝了，没有用。" (This knife is too blunt; it's useless.)
  • In Business: "这个计划虽然好，但现在没有用。" (This plan is good, but it's useless right now.)
  • In Relationships: "你道歉也没有用，我不原谅你。" (Even if you apologize, it's useless; I won't forgive you.)

别看了，那张地图已经没有用了，路都变了。

In Chinese TV dramas (C-dramas), characters often use this phrase to express despair or to shut down an argument. It carries a sense of finality. If a doctor says "已经没有用了," it usually implies that the patient is beyond help or the treatment isn't working. In a more mundane setting, like shopping, a salesperson might try to convince you a product is useful, while a skeptical friend might whisper, "这个东西完全没有用" (This thing is completely useless).

Learners often make a few specific errors when using 没有用. The most common is confusing it with 不用 (bùyòng).

Confusing with '不用'
'不用' means 'no need to' or 'don't have to'. '没有用' means 'useless'. If you say '不用这个', you mean 'don't use this'. If you say '这个没有用', you mean 'this is useless'.
Incorrect Negation
Some students try to say '不有用'. This is grammatically incorrect. The opposite of '有用' (useful) is always '没有用'.
Overusing on People
Calling a person '没有用' is a severe insult (meaning they are a failure). Use '没帮上忙' (didn't help much) if you just mean they weren't helpful in a specific task.

Wrong: 我不有用这个。 (I don't useful this.)

Right: 这个对我没有用。 (This is not useful to me.)

Another mistake is the placement of degree adverbs. While you can say 完全没有用 (completely useless) or 真没有用 (really useless), you cannot say 很有用 to mean 'very useless'—that would mean 'very useful'. To say 'very useless', you must use words like '一点用也没有' (not even a bit of use).

While 没有用 is the standard term, several synonyms offer more specific nuances depending on the level of formality or the type of 'uselessness' being described.

没用 (méi yòng)
The casual, shortened version. Used 90% of the time in spoken Chinese.
无用 (wú yòng)
More formal/literary. Often found in idioms or written texts (e.g., '无用之才').
徒劳 (tú láo)
Specifically refers to 'futile effort'. You worked hard, but it was all for nothing.
废 (fèi)
Slang/Harsh. Literally 'waste' or 'crippled'. Used to describe something completely broken or a person who is 'useless'.

虽然他做了很多努力，但都是徒劳的。

Choosing between these depends on your relationship with the listener and the medium. In a text message to a friend about a broken app, '没用' is perfect. In a philosophical essay about the vanity of life, '无用' or '徒劳' would be more appropriate. Understanding these distinctions helps move your Chinese from A2 to B1 and beyond.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Informel

""

Argot

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

这个笔没有用。

This pen is useless.

Simple Subject + Predicate.

2

那本书没有用。

That book is useless.

Demonstrative + Measure Word + Noun.

3

这没有用。

This is useless.

Pronoun as subject.

4

我的手机没有用。

My phone is useless.

Possessive + Noun.

5

这个没有用吗？

Is this useless?

Question with 吗.

6

它真的没有用。

It really is useless.

Adverb '真的' for emphasis.

7

这个钱没有用。

This money is useless.

Noun 'money' as subject.

8

那个东西没有用。

That thing is useless.

General noun '东西'.

1

哭是没有用的。

Crying is useless.

Verb as subject + 是...的.

2

这种药对我没有用。

This medicine is useless for me.

Prepositional phrase '对我'.

3

现在去也没有用了。

It's useless to go now.

Adverb '也' to mean 'even'.

4

不要买没有用的东西。

Don't buy useless things.

Attributive adjective with '的'.

5

生气是没有用的。

Getting angry is useless.

Abstract noun as subject.

6

你的办法没有用。

Your method is useless.

Possessive '你的' + '办法'.

7

这个地图没有用了。

This map is useless now.

Particle '了' indicating change of state.

8

说话没有用，要做。

Talking is useless; you must act.

Contrastive sentence structure.

1

虽然他很努力，但还是没有用。

Although he worked hard, it was still useless.

Conjunction '虽然...但是...'.

2

如果你不听，我说再多也没有用。

If you don't listen, no matter how much I say, it's useless.

Conditional '如果...就...' with '再多也'.

3

这种旧电脑在今天已经没有用了。

This kind of old computer is already useless today.

Time phrase '在今天'.

4

我觉得这个功能完全没有用。

I think this function is completely useless.

Verb '觉得' + complete clause.

5

他觉得道歉已经没有用了。

He feels that apologizing is already useless.

Noun clause as object.

6

没有用的建议只会浪费时间。

Useless suggestions only waste time.

Complex subject with attributive.

7

这个软件对我来说没有用。

As far as I'm concerned, this software is useless.

Structure '对...来说'.

8

光有热情是没有用的，还需要技术。

Having only passion is useless; you also need skill.

Structure '光...是不够的/没有用的'.

1

单纯的指责对解决问题没有任何用处。

Simple accusations are of no use in solving problems.

Formal noun '用处' instead of just '用'.

2

在绝对的力量面前，技巧往往没有用。

In the face of absolute power, skills are often useless.

Prepositional phrase '在...面前'.

3

这种老旧的观念在现代社会已经没有用了。

These old-fashioned concepts are no longer useful in modern society.

Abstract subject '观念'.

4

即使你现在后悔，也已经没有用了。

Even if you regret it now, it's already useless.

Conjunction '即使...也...'.

5

他总是买一些华而不实、没有用的东西。

He always buys things that are flashy but useless.

Four-character idiom '华而不实'.

6

如果不能执行，再好的计划也没有用。

If it can't be executed, even the best plan is useless.

Conditional clause with '再...也'.

7

这种表面功夫对提高成绩没有用。

This kind of superficial work is useless for improving grades.

Noun phrase '表面功夫'.

8

在法律面前，这种借口是没有用的。

In the eyes of the law, this kind of excuse is useless.

Formal context.

1

在这种极端的环境下，常规的逻辑已经没有用了。

In such an extreme environment, conventional logic is no longer useful.

Complex prepositional setting.

2

庄子认为，‘无用’有时比‘有用’更有用。

Zhuangzi believed that 'uselessness' is sometimes more useful than 'usefulness'.

Philosophical paradox.

3

单纯的物质奖励对激发这种创造力没有用。

Simple material rewards are useless for stimulating this kind of creativity.

Psychological context.

4

如果缺乏核心竞争力，再多的营销也是没有用的。

If there is a lack of core competitiveness, no amount of marketing will be useful.

Business terminology.

5

他意识到，所有的辩解在事实面前都显得苍白而没有用。

He realized that all excuses appeared pale and useless in the face of facts.

Literary description.

6

这种过时的管理模式对现代企业来说已经完全没有用了。

This outdated management model is completely useless for modern enterprises.

Enterprise management context.

7

在生死面前，名利往往显得最没有用。

In the face of life and death, fame and fortune often seem the most useless.

Existential theme.

8

这种零碎的信息对于构建完整的知识体系没有用。

This fragmented information is useless for building a complete knowledge system.

Epistemological context.

1

当文明崩塌时，曾经引以为傲的技术可能变得毫无用处。

When civilization collapses, the technology once taken pride in may become utterly useless.

Hypothetical historical context.

2

他那番冗长而空洞的演讲，对缓解局势没有起到任何作用。

His long and hollow speech did not serve any purpose in alleviating the situation.

Sophisticated critique.

3

在某些语境下，‘没有用’本身就是一种反抗。

In certain contexts, 'being useless' is itself a form of resistance.

Sociological analysis.

4

这种修辞手法在追求严谨的学术论文中是没有用的。

This rhetorical device is useless in academic papers pursuing rigor.

Academic register.

5

他深知，在绝对的真理面前，一切谎言都终将变得没有用。

He knew well that in the face of absolute truth, all lies would eventually become useless.

Abstract philosophical tone.

6

这种试图通过掩盖真相来解决问题的方法，注定是没有用的。

This method of trying to solve problems by covering up the truth is destined to be useless.

Political/Social commentary.

7

在艺术的领域，追求‘有用’往往会让作品变得没有用。

In the field of art, pursuing 'utility' often makes the work useless.

Aesthetic theory.

8

历史证明，单纯的武力压迫对赢得民心是没有用的。

History proves that simple military oppression is useless for winning the hearts of the people.

Historical analysis.

Collocations courantes

完全没有用
一点用也没有
已经没有用了
对我没有用
说也没用
看也没用
真的没有用
根本没有用
暂时没有用
几乎没有用

Phrases Courantes

没用的东西

哭也没有用

后悔也没有用

说这些没有用

这种办法没有用

对他没有用

完全没有用处

一点用都没有

再努力也没有用

这种药没有用

Souvent confondu avec

没有用 vs 不用

Means 'no need', not 'useless'.

没有用 vs 没用过

Means 'haven't used before'.

没有用 vs 没法用

Means 'cannot be used' (e.g., broken), while '没有用' can mean 'has no purpose'.

Expressions idiomatiques

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Facile à confondre

没有用 vs

没有用 vs

没有用 vs

没有用 vs

没有用 vs

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Can be objective or subjective.

warning

Harsh when applied to people.

Erreurs courantes
  • Saying '不有用' instead of '没有用'.
  • Confusing '没有用' with '不用'.
  • Using '很有用' to mean 'very useless'.
  • Using it to describe a person in a polite context.
  • Forgetting the 'de' in '是没有用的' structure.

Astuces

The 'Dui' Structure

Always use '对' when specifying who something is useless for. '这对我不行' is okay, but '这对我没有用' is better.

Softening the Blow

To be less blunt, say '好像没有太大的用处' (It seems it doesn't have much use).

Shortening

In daily life, 90% of people just say '没用'.

Emphasis

Add '了' at the end to show it *became* useless.

Idiom usage

Replace '没有用' with '徒劳无功' in formal essays.

Context clues

If someone says it with a sigh, they are likely frustrated.

Philosophy

Remember the 'Useless Tree' story from Zhuangzi.

Common Collocation

Pair it with '浪费' (waste) to sound more native.

Avoid '不有用'

Never say '不有用'. It's always '没有用'.

Daily use

Try labeling broken items in your house as '没有用'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

Zhuangzi's concept of 'Wuyong' (Uselessness).

Avoid calling people '没有用' as it is a deep insult to their worth.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"你觉得这个新功能有没有用？"

"如果电脑坏了，是不是就没有用了？"

"你买过最没有用的东西是什么？"

"为什么你说道歉没有用？"

"你觉得学习历史没有用吗？"

Sujets d'écriture

写一件你觉得没有用但很喜欢的东西。

描述一次你觉得努力但没有用的经历。

为什么有些人觉得艺术是没有用的？

如果你发现你的手机没有用了，你会怎么办？

讨论‘无用之用’这个概念。

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It can be rude if you say it about a person's effort or a gift they gave you. It's safer to use it for objects.

Yes, but that means 'very useful'. You cannot use '很' with '没有用' to mean 'very useless'.

They are the same, but '没用' is more common in casual spoken Chinese.

You can say '完全没有用' or '一点用也没有'.

Yes, but it's an insult meaning 'incompetent'. Use with caution.

Yes, but '无用' is more formal and used in writing.

哭是没有用的 (Kū shì méiyǒu yòng de).

Mostly, but it can also mean 'ineffective' or 'futile'.

No, it's an adjective or predicate. Use '用处' for the noun 'utility'.

Yes, it's a basic phrase learned early on.

Teste-toi 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Contenu associé

C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !