GoMe
EN

Vocabulary

What does もったいない (mottainai) mean?

もったいない means wasteful; too good to deserve.

Quick facts
Readingもったいない
Romajimottainai
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
もったいない
N3 · estimated, JLPT frameworkmottainai

wasteful; too good to deserve

Example sentences

  • It can still be used, what a waste.

  • It's a waste to throw away food.

Look up another word →

Data sources and licences

Entries, readings and English glosses: JMdict — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and their translations written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.