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How to say 'Useless' or 'No' in Japanese | 駄目

Wondering how to say 'Useless' or 'No' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Useless or No is 'Dame', written as 駄目 in Japanese.'Useless' or 'No' in hiragana is だめ.

    word

    駄目

    Meaning

    Useless, No

    Reading

    だめ

    dame

    Kanji

    駄Poor quality, Burdensome 目Eye

    Explanation

    The Japanese adjectival noun '駄目 (だめ)' can mean 'no' or 'useless'. It is often used to express prohibition, rejection, or something being futile. For example: you can't do that「それは駄目だ」(それはだめだ). This pen is useless「このペンは駄目だ」(このペンはだめだ). It can also be used to describe something that is not allowed or is against the rules. For example: smoking is not allowed here「ここでタバコを吸うのは駄目です」(ここでタバコをすうのはだめです).

    Part Of Speech

    adjectival noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N1

    Kanji Grade

    9

    Frequency

    390

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 駄目

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    駄

    Meaning

    Poor quality, Burdensome

  • kanji

    目

    Meaning

    Eye

Words Related to 駄目 Through the Kanji 駄

These 3 Words contain the Kanji 駄 as well.

  • word

    下駄

    Meaning

    Clogs

  • word

    無駄

    Meaning

    Waste

  • word

    無駄遣い

    Meaning

    Waste

Words Related to 駄目 Through the Kanji 目

These 28 Words contain the Kanji 目 as well.

  • word

    目

    Meaning

    Eye, Sight

  • word

    目的

    Meaning

    Purpose, Goal

  • word

    目覚まし時計

    Meaning

    Alarm clock

  • word

    目標

    Meaning

    Goal

  • word

    目指す

    Meaning

    Aim

  • word

    注目

    Meaning

    Attention

  • word

    目立つ

    Meaning

    Standout

  • word

    項目

    Meaning

    Item

  • word

    真面目

    Meaning

    Serious, Earnest

  • word

    種目

    Meaning

    Event

  • word

    効き目

    Meaning

    Effect

  • word

    お目に掛かる

    Meaning

    Meet

  • word

    目上

    Meaning

    Superior

  • word

    目方

    Meaning

    Weight

  • word

    目下

    Meaning

    Subordinate

  • word

    目覚ましい

    Meaning

    Remarkable

  • word

    目覚まし

    Meaning

    Alarm

  • word

    役目

    Meaning

    Duty, Role

  • word

    一目

    Meaning

    Glance, First move

  • word

    丁目

    Meaning

    District

  • word

    目撃

    Meaning

    Witness

  • word

    目覚める

    Meaning

    Awaken

  • word

    目次

    Meaning

    Index, Table of contents

  • word

    目薬

    Meaning

    Eye drops

  • word

    目的地

    Meaning

    Destination

  • word

    科目

    Meaning

    Subject

  • word

    目印

    Meaning

    Mark, Sign

  • word

    目茶苦茶

    Meaning

    Chaotic, Absurd

Learn the Word 駄目

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What does 'Dame' (駄目) mean?

'Dame' means 'Useless' or 'No' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.