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vano

VAH-nohˈba.no

futile, useless

Also: vain, pointless
A small person straining to push a huge, grey stone block up an extremely steep hill, illustrating a futile effort.

📝 In Action

Todos sus ruegos fueron vanos.

B1

All his pleas were futile/useless.

Trabajamos en vano, el proyecto fue cancelado.

B2

We worked in vain (for nothing), the project was cancelled.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inútil (useless)
  • infructuoso (unsuccessful)

Antonyms

  • útil (useful)
  • provechoso (beneficial)

Common Collocations

  • ser en vano – to be in vain
  • esfuerzo vano – futile effort

vain, conceited

Also: arrogant
A proud, flamboyant peacock sitting high on a pedestal, looking down condescendingly at several tiny, admiring field mice below, depicting vanity.

📝 In Action

Ella es muy vana; solo se mira en el espejo.

B2

She is very vain; she only looks at herself in the mirror.

Sus palabras eran vanas y superficiales.

C1

His words were empty (vain) and superficial.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

opening, void

Also: gap
NounmC1formal
A thick red brick wall containing a simple, empty rectangular wooden frame that acts as an opening, revealing a bright blue sky beyond.

📝 In Action

El arquitecto diseñó un gran vano para la puerta principal.

C1

The architect designed a large opening for the main door.

Los vanos de las ventanas permitían la entrada de luz.

C2

The window openings allowed the entry of light.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vano

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'vano' in its most common meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vanidad(vanity, pride) — Noun
vanidoso(vain, conceited) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *vanus*, meaning 'empty, void, worthless.' This explains why all the Spanish meanings relate back to a lack of substance, whether physical, emotional (pride), or in effort (futile).

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.

Cognates (Related words)

English: vainItalian: vano

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'vano' and 'vacío'?

'Vano' means 'futile' or 'useless' (lacking a result or purpose): 'un intento vano' (a futile attempt). 'Vacío' means 'empty' (lacking physical contents): 'un vaso vacío' (an empty glass). They are not interchangeable in modern common usage.

How do I use the phrase 'en vano'?

'En vano' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'in vain' or 'for nothing.' It always stays the same and usually follows the verb: 'Esperé por horas en vano' (I waited for hours in vain).