Meaning and Usage
The word 浪費 (ろうひ) means "waste" or "extravagance," typically referring to the careless or unnecessary use of resources such as time, money, or materials. It is a noun often used in formal or written contexts, including discussions about economics, environment, or personal habits.
Common Contexts
浪費 is frequently used when talking about wasting time (時間の浪費), money (お金の浪費), or resources (資源の浪費). It carries a negative connotation, implying that the action is inefficient or irresponsible.
Collocations and Patterns
- 時間の浪費: waste of time, used when emphasizing lost or unproductive time.
- お金の浪費: waste of money, often used to criticize unnecessary spending.
- 資源の浪費: waste of resources, common in environmental discussions.
- 浪費を避ける: to avoid waste, a common phrase in advice or rules.
Register and Nuance
浪費 is more formal and often appears in written language, news, or speeches. In casual conversation, people might use 無駄遣い (むだづかい) for wasteful spending or 無駄 (むだ) for waste in general.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 浪費 with 無駄, but 無駄 is more general and can be used more casually. 浪費 specifically implies a significant or serious waste, often with a sense of extravagance or irresponsibility.