Have you ever tried something with all your energy… only to realize it was completely pointless?

Like spending hours cooking a fancy dinner, but your friends ate all the snacks beforehand and said, “I’m already full.”
Or cleaning your whole room perfectly… only for your dog to run in and mess it up right away.

In Japanese, we have the phrase かいもなく (甲斐もなく / kai mo naku).
It’s an N1 expression that means “despite, even though, with no result.”
Basically, it’s for those “all that effort for nothing” moments.

And here’s a fun fact!
The word 甲斐 (kai) originally comes from an old word meaning “support” or “effect.” Over time, it came to mean the reward or result gained from one’s effort. You might recognize it in the word 生き甲斐 (いきがい/ikigai), “the reason for living.”

So when we say かいもなく, it’s like saying “despite all the effort, there was no reward/result.”

Shall we dive in?

たのに (ta noni)
Both かいもなく and たのに can express a sense of disappointment, but there’s a difference in nuance.

たのに just means “even though” or “despite,” showing an unexpected result.
かいもなく specifically highlights effort with no reward or result.

一生懸命勉強したのに、試験に落ちた。
いっしょうけんめい べんきょう した のに、しけん に おちた。
isshoukenmei benkyou shita noni, shiken ni ochita.
Even though I studied hard, I failed the exam.

一生懸命勉強したかいもなく、試験に落ちた。
いっしょうけんめい べんきょう した かいもなく、しけん に おちた。
isshoukenmei benkyou shita kai mo naku, shiken ni ochita.
Despite studying so hard, my effort was for nothing.

何時間も待ったかいもなく、チケットは売り切れて買えなかった。
なんじかん も まった かいもなく、ちけっと は うりきれて かえなかった。
nanjikan mo matta kai mo naku, chiketto ha urikirete kaenakatta.
Despite waiting for hours, the tickets were sold out and I couldn’t buy one.

掃除したかいもなく、すぐにまた散らかってしまった。
そうじ した かいもなく、すぐに また ちらかって しまった。
souji shita kai mo naku, sugu ni mata chirakatte shimatta.
Despite cleaning up, the room got messy again right away.

遠くから来たかいもなく、店はすでに閉まっていた。
とおく から きた かいもなく、みせ は すでに しまって いた。
tooku kara kita kai mo naku, mise ha sudeni shimatte ita.
Even though I came from far away, the shop was already closed.

手術のかいもなく、病気が悪化してしまった。
しゅじゅつ の かいもなく、びょうき が あっか して しまった。
shujutsu no kai mo naku, byouki ga akka shite shimatta.
Despite the surgery, the illness got worse.

努力のかいもなく、プロジェクトは失敗に終わった。
どりょく の かいもなく、ぷろじぇくと は しっぱい に おわった。
doryoku no kai mo naku, purojekuto ha shippai ni owatta.
Despite all the effort, the project ended in failure.

• Grammar Point: かいもなく（甲斐もなく kai mo naku）
• JLPT Level: N1
• Meaning: Despite, even though, with no result
• Quick Explanation: Used to express that despite one’s effort or action, there was no reward, result, or success. It often carries a feeling of disappointment or futility.

So that’s how we use かいもなく!
It’s perfect for describing those moments when things don’t go as planned, even though you tried your best.

努力のかいもなく、何かをあきらめた経験はありますか？
どりょく の かいもなく、なにか を あきらめた けいけん は あります か？
doryoku no kai mo naku, nanika wo akirameta keiken ha arimasu ka?
Have you ever had the experience of giving something up despite all your effort?

This time, most of our examples sounded a little depressing, but in life, it’s not only about the results. The process matters too, don’t forget that!

Now it’s your turn! Try making your own sentences with かいもなく, and remember: even “effort with no result” can still help you grow.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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