Translation and Meaning of: 無効 - mukou

The Japanese word 「無効」 (mukou) is primarily used to express the idea of nullity or invalidity. Etymologically, the expression is composed of two kanji: 「無」 (mu) meaning "nothing" or "without," and 「効」 (kou) meaning "effect" or "efficacy." Therefore, the combination of these characters suggests the concept of "without effect."

The term 「無効」 can be found in various contexts, especially in legal and technical fields, to indicate that something is invalid or does not produce the expected effects. For example, in a contract or legal document, if it is declared 「無効」, it means that the document has no legal applicability or does not create obligations for the parties involved. Additionally, it is common in contexts where one wishes to describe something that has lost its effectiveness, such as a medication that no longer has an effect.

Historically, the use of 「無効」 has evolved alongside the development of the Japanese language, reflecting the influence of legal and administrative systems that require precise descriptions of validity and authority. In Japanese culture, where clarity and precision are valued, the use of words like 「無効」 helps eliminate ambiguities in important communications. This need for precision reflects through the ages, shaping how legal and technical language is structured in Japan.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 無効 (Mukou) - Invalid, without effect
• 無価値 (Mukachi) - Worthless, useless
• 無用 (Muyou) - Unnecessary, useless
• 無益 (Mueki) - Useless, without benefit
• 無意味 (Muimi) - Nonsense, insignificant
• 無価値な (Mukachi na) - Useless, worthless (adjective form)
• 無価値なもの (Mukachi na mono) - Useless thing, worthless object
• 無価値なものになる (Mukachi na mono ni naru) - To become something worthless
• 無価値になる (Mukachi ni naru) - Become useless
• 無益な (Mueki na) - Useless, without benefit (adjective form)
• 無益なもの (Mueki na mono) - Useless thing, object without benefit
• 無益になる (Mueki ni naru) - Become useless
• 無益になること (Mueki ni naru koto) - Become useless (concept or action)
• 無益になる可能性がある (Mueki ni naru kanousei ga aru) - There is a possibility of becoming useless.
• 無益になることがある (Mueki ni naru koto ga aru) - Sometimes it can become useless.
• 無益になることがある可能性がある (Mueki ni naru koto ga aru kanousei ga aru) - There is a possibility that it may become useless at times.
• 無益になる可能性があること (Mueki ni naru kanousei ga aru koto) - The fact that there is a possibility of becoming useless
• 無益になることがあること (Mueki ni naru koto ga aru koto) - The fact that it can sometimes become useless

無効

Romaji: mukou
Kana: むこう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: invalid; no effect; unavailable

Meaning in English: invalid;no effect;unavailable

Definition: lack of power or efficiency;

Example Sentences - (無効) mukou

See below some example sentences:

この契約は無効です。

Kono keiyaku wa mukou desu

This contract is invalid.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 契約 - noun meaning "contract" or "agreement"
• は - topic particle that indicates that what comes after is the main subject of the sentence
• 無効 - adjective meaning "invalid" or "null"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, which indicates the existence or quality of the subject
• . - punctuation indicating the end of the sentence