Mottainai

     The question, 'what is it' in English, often springs to my mind in daily life and I have a long lasting quesition. How can I express the meaning of the Japanese adjective "mottainai". I sometimes ask native speakers who live in Japan this question. Every answer was correct, but wasn't enough. There might not exist the exact word in English. I looked for the opinion of the professional translators but couldn't come across what I wanted.
     In general, "mottainai" means the waste of something; waste of time, waste of money, waste of effort,,,. If you brush your teeth in running tap water in an ordinary Japanese  family, you'd surely be told that it's a waste of water. Water is "mottainai". On this occasion, it doesn't simply imply that you are wasting or throwing away the water. That is, clean water was made and transferred to you by numerous people and GOD. You should use it meaningfully. You never use it unwittingly. You should always use it with gratitude. "Mottainai" contains such a significant meaning. An American showed me "shameful waste", but it isn't enough either.
     In decent families in Japan, children will be scolded like this when they leave just a grain of rice in their rice bowl. "Oh, I can't believe that you would do something "mottainai" like that. You must learn how hard the farmer's work is. Your eyes will be damaged by God." It is a typical phrase in this case.

(Vocabulary)
spring to someone's mind（思いや考えなど）ふっと思い付く
spring to (somebody's) mind (＜人＞に)ひらめく, ふと思い浮かぶ
scold  'skould'  〈特に子供〉 をしかる

Comments

[KUMO]

Try to say "katajike-nai" in front of Japanese people. He would be astonished and happy to hear that.

[Klaus]

Thanks for the compliments - however, German and English is (close to) native, French I learned for 9 years, in addition Latin (which no one speaks anymore, of course) and my Japanese - "mottai-nai, katjike-nai, arienai, shoganai" - YES - strange Japanese I am almost perfect. But what can I say!?!?!?!

[KUMO]

＞Craig
Thank you for your comments from Florida. You are the first person from Florida. By the way, I think "squander" isn't enough, either. "Mottainai"contains something religious and faithful. It looks like you have the knowledge of Japanese. You know, "itadakimasu" or "gochisousama" are also hard phrases to be put into English.
Any way, I'm very glad to hear from you and I hope you often drop in at my blog from now on. If you have a blog or website, show me please.

>Klaus
I read your profile in your website. I was really surprised that you were born in Germany, worked in the U.S. Force and now are living in Japan. You can use German, English and Japanese. Wonderful!

[Klaus]

I have to agree with Peter. There are quite a few expressions that just can't be translated from Japanese to another language and vice versa. Guess we have to live with it?!?!

[Craig Vale]

This is my second attempt to post what I believe comes close to "mottainai " in an English translation;
The word that comes to mind is " Squander" as in " To squander a natural resource" To squander one's time", an opportunity, ones money,reputation etc.

Craig Vale
Orange City Fl