Vocabulary
소용이 없다
be useless / be of no use
Meaning
Expression: “be of no use”, “have no effect”.
Why this form?
효과가 없다 — “have no effect”: focuses on the lack of results from a method, treatment or action.
헛수고이다 — “be wasted effort”: specifically characterizes effort as futile, while 소용이 없다 can also apply to an item or advice.
Forms not to confuse
- 효과가 없다
약을 먹어도 효과가 없어요. — The medicine has no effect.
- 헛수고이다
계속 찾는 건 헛수고예요. — Continuing to search is wasted effort.
Hanja
소용 (所用) — 所 “place, that which” + 用 “use, employ”: literally evokes what has a use; negative 소용이 없다 means something is of no use.
Examples
태형과 지민은 병원 문을 열어 보려고 온 힘을 다하지만, 소용이 없다. — Taehyung and Jimin try to open the door, but it is no use.
이 방법은 소용이 없어요. — This method is useless.