Meaning and Usage
The verb 費やす (ついやす) means "to spend," "to devote," or "to waste" resources such as time, money, or effort. It often implies a conscious allocation or investment of these resources, but can also carry a nuance of wastefulness depending on context.
Common Contexts
- Spending time on activities like research, work, or hobbies.
- Using money for purchases or investments.
- Devoting effort or energy to a cause or task.
Collocations and Patterns
- 時間を費やす (じかんをついやす): to spend time
- お金を費やす (おかねをついやす): to spend money
- 力を費やす (ちからをついやす): to devote effort
These phrases are frequently used in both formal and informal contexts, but 費やす itself is somewhat formal and often appears in written or polite speech.
Nuances and Tips
- 費やす is more formal than simpler verbs like 使う (つかう) for "use" or "spend."
- It often emphasizes the amount or seriousness of the resource spent.
- Avoid confusing 費やす with 浪費する (ろうひする), which specifically means "to waste" with a negative connotation.
Understanding 費やす helps learners express deliberate investment of resources, especially in formal or written Japanese.