Definition
白费 means 'to waste' but specifically applies to abstract resources like time, effort, money, or goodwill — with the added nuance that the result is futile or in vain. It is not used for wasting physical objects (use 浪费 for that). You'll often see it in patterns like 白费心机 ('scheme in vain') or 白费力气 ('waste one's breath').
v.
to waste (time, effort, money, etc.) in vainto be futile
Examples
- 白费，。Bié bái fèi shíjiān le, kuài zǒu ba.Don't waste time — let's go.
- 白费。Tā de nǔlì quán dōu bái fèi le.All his efforts went to waste.
- 白费。Bú yào bái fèi lìqi gēn tā jiěshì.Don't waste your breath explaining to him.
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