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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "in vain" with 白 (bái)

    HSK 4
    Negation
    Result & Consequence

    Structure

    Subject + 白 + Verb + 了

    Explanation

    白 (bái) placed before a verb means "in vain," "for nothing," or "wastefully," indicating that an effort produced no useful result. It suggests that the action was a waste of time or resources. This adverbial use of 白 conveys frustration or regret about wasted effort.

    Examples

    • 我白等了他两个小时，他根本没来。

      wǒ bái děng le tā liǎng ge xiǎoshí, tā gēnběn méi lái.

      I waited for him for two hours for nothing — he never showed up at all.

    • 这么好的食材别白浪费了。

      zhème hǎo de shícái bié bái làngfèi le.

      Don't let such good ingredients go to waste.

    • 你白跑了一趟，商店今天不开门。

      nǐ bái pǎo le yí tàng, shāngdiàn jīntiān bù kāimén.

      You made the trip for nothing — the store isn't open today.