Inklingo

How to Say "useless" in Spanish

English → Spanish

inútil

AdjectiveB1General
Use this word when something lacks utility or a practical function, often implying it's broken or serves no purpose.

Examples

La conexión a internet era tan mala que el trabajo online resultó inútil.

The internet connection was so bad that working online turned out to be useless.

inútiles

AdjectiveA2General
This is the plural form of 'inútil', used to describe multiple objects or skills that are no longer useful or functional.

Examples

Mis viejos teléfonos móviles son inútiles ahora.

My old mobile phones are useless now.

vano

VAH-nohˈba.no

AdjectiveB1General
Use this when referring to an action, effort, or plea that has produced no result or has been futile.
A small person straining to push a huge, grey stone block up an extremely steep hill, illustrating a futile effort.

Examples

A pesar de sus esfuerzos, el intento de rescate fue vano.

Despite his efforts, the rescue attempt was futile/useless.

Todos sus ruegos fueron vanos.

All his pleas were futile/useless.

Trabajamos en vano, el proyecto fue cancelado.

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

Gender and Number Match

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vano' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'vano' for masculine singular nouns (el esfuerzo vano), 'vana' for feminine singular (la esperanza vana), 'vanos' for masculine plural, and 'vanas' for feminine plural.

Using 'vano' instead of 'vacío'

Mistake: “La caja es vana.”

Correction: La caja está vacía. ('Vano' describes lack of result or purpose, not physical emptiness. Use 'vacío' for something physically empty.)

nulo

NOO-lohˈnulo

AdjectiveB2Informal
This word describes someone who is completely incompetent or unskilled at a particular task.
A person looking confused while holding a paintbrush upside down in front of a messy canvas.

Examples

Mi hermano es nulo para cocinar.

My brother is hopeless at cooking.

Soy nulo para el dibujo.

I'm hopeless at drawing.

Mi hermano es nulo en la cocina; no sabe ni freír un huevo.

My brother is useless in the kitchen; he doesn't even know how to fry an egg.

Tiene un interés nulo por la política.

He has zero interest in politics.

The preposition 'para'

When saying you are hopeless 'at' something, Spanish uses 'para'. For example: 'Nulo para los deportes' (Hopeless at sports).

Using 'en' vs 'para'

Mistake: “Soy nulo en matemáticas.”

Correction: Soy nulo para las matemáticas (though 'en' is sometimes heard, 'para' is more natural for talents).

Inútil vs. Vano

Learners often confuse 'inútil' and 'vano'. Remember that 'inútil' typically describes an object or thing that doesn't work, while 'vano' describes an action or effort that had no successful outcome.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.