Mottainai もったいない

mottainai · from Japanese

What does mottainai mean?

Mottainai expresses regret at waste, the feeling that something valuable is being squandered.

It is used for leaving food, throwing away usable things or wasting talent. Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai promoted the word internationally as an eco-slogan in the 2000s. The concept has Buddhist roots.

Examples

もったいない！ mottainai! (what a waste!); leaving rice in the bowl; throwing away a working phone

Kungfucius says: Mottainai: the reason your Japanese grandmother finished your lunch.