駄目

dame
adjectiveBeginner
informal

No good; useless; hopeless; no use

この計画は駄目だ。

This plan is no good.

駄目なアイデアだ。

It's a useless idea.

💡

Often used to express strong negative judgment or to discourage someone.

informal

Not allowed; prohibited

ここでタバコは駄目だ。

Smoking is not allowed here.

Collocations

駄目だIt's no good駄目にするto ruin駄目になるto be ruined

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

駄目な奴phrase
a hopeless person
駄目にするphrase
to ruin

💡Pro Tip

Politeness Level

Use '駄目' in casual settings. For more polite contexts, consider 'ダメです' or 'いけません'.

Gold Rule

Negative Judgment

'駄目' is often used to express strong negative opinions, so use it carefully to avoid sounding harsh.

📖Word Origin

From the verb '出目' (demasu), meaning 'to be useless' or 'to be no good'. The kanji '出' (de) and '目' (me) together form the word '出目' (dame), which evolved into the modern usage.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in casual conversation to express disapproval or to indicate that something is not permitted. Can be softened with 'ちょっと' (a little) as in 'ちょっと駄目' (a bit no good).

Word Breakdown

exit, useless
kanji
+
eye, useless
kanji
Noted on May 2, 2026JAEN