空回り
含义: Spinning wheels — putting in effort that produces no results or backfires, trying hard but getting absolutely nowhere.
The image is of wheels spinning without traction — lots of visible effort but zero forward movement. 空回り describes the painful situation where enthusiasm and hard work fail to translate into results, or worse, make things worse. It's often used sympathetically for well-meaning people whose efforts misfire. A classic 空回り scenario: someone who prepares an elaborate surprise party but gets the date wrong. The word captures both the wasted effort and the second-hand embarrassment of watching it happen.
例句
- 張り切りすぎて空回りしてる感じ。 太过用力反而在空转的感觉。Está tan motivado que está dando vueltas en vacío.너무 의욕이 앞서서 헛바퀴(空回り) 돌고 있는 느낌.
- 空回りしてる自分が恥ずかしい。 白忙活的自己好丢人。Me da vergüenza de mí mismo dando vueltas en vacío.헛바퀴(空回り) 도는 내가 부끄러워.
- 善意の空回りって一番迷惑なんだよな。 出于好意的空转其实最让人头疼。Las buenas intenciones que no llevan a nada son lo más molesto.선의의 헛바퀴(空回り)가 제일 민폐야.
发音
/ka.ɾa.ma.wa.ɾi/
用法指南
语境: friends, workplace, casual conversation
语气: sympathetic, awkward
✓ 正确说法
- 空回りしてるの分かってるけど、止められない。 (I know I'm spinning my wheels, but I can't stop.)我知道自己在白忙活,但就是停不下来。(I know I'm spinning my wheels, but I can't stop.)Sé que estoy dando vueltas en vacío, pero no puedo parar.헛바퀴(空回り) 도는 거 알지만, 멈출 수가 없어. (헛바퀴 돌고 있는 거 아는데, 그만둘 수가 없어.)
- 新人が空回りしてるの見ると、昔の自分を思い出す。 (Watching a newbie spin their wheels reminds me of my old self.)看到新人在那儿白忙活,就想起以前的自己。(Watching a newbie spin their wheels reminds me of my old self.)Ver a un novato dando vueltas en vacío me recuerda a mi antiguo yo.신입이 헛바퀴(空回り) 도는 걸 보면, 예전 나 자신이 떠올라. (신입이 헛바퀴 도는 걸 보면 과거의 내가 생각나.)
✗ 错误说法
- 一生懸命やっている人に「空回り」と直接言うのは残酷 (Telling someone who is trying their hardest that they're 'spinning their wheels' is cruel)对一个正在拼命努力的人直接说'你在白忙活'是很残忍的(Telling someone who is trying their hardest that they're 'spinning their wheels' is cruel)Decirle a alguien que se está esforzando al máximo que «está dando vueltas en vacío» es cruel.열심히 하는 사람에게 '空回り'라고 직접 말하는 건 잔인하다 (최선을 다하는 사람에게 '헛바퀴 돌고 있어'라고 하는 건 가혹함)
常见错误
- Using 空回り only negatively — it can be used with a sympathetic, understanding tone for well-meaning but misguided effort
起源与历史
Standard Japanese compound from 空 (empty/idle) and 回り (spinning). Originally a mechanical term for wheels spinning without grip, the figurative meaning of wasted effort has been in use for generations.
文化背景
Era: Traditional expression, not era-specific
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. A well-established metaphor understood across all generations and contexts.
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