浪費する

• Reading: ろうひする
• Romaji: rouhi suru
• Kanji breakdown: 浪 (rou) — waves, to wander; 費 (hi) — spend, expense
• Pronunciation: /ɾoː.hi.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To waste; to squander. To use money, time, or resources carelessly and excessively.

A suru-verb combining 浪費 (waste/extravagance) with する. Carries a strongly negative connotation — always implies careless or irresponsible use. Can apply to money (お金を浪費する), time (時間を浪費する), or resources (資源を浪費する). The related noun 浪費家 means a spendthrift.

Examples

1. 若い頃にお金を浪費したことを後悔している。 I regret squandering money when I was young.
2. 会議の準備不足で貴重な時間を浪費してしまった。 Due to poor preparation, I ended up wasting valuable time in the meeting.
3. エネルギーを浪費しない生活を心がけている。 I make a conscious effort to live without wasting energy.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, daily life, environment, self-reflection

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 浪 (rou, waves/to wander) + 費 (hi, to spend/expense). Literally 'spending like wandering waves' — money flowing away without direction or purpose, evoking an image of uncontrolled loss.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal