# 无济于事

wú jì yú shì

Make no useful difference to the matter

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Provide no help to the situation

**Traditional Chinese:** 無濟於事

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Explain why a proposed action does not address the need.

An action can be useful elsewhere while unsuitable here.

## The image & its use

The expression measures an action by its effect on a particular problem. A beautifully printed cover does not supply missing information, and repeating an instruction may not answer a learner's question. The point is relevance rather than effort alone. It can help redirect attention toward what would actually make progress. Name the unmet need and offer an alternative where possible, so the criticism becomes practical guidance instead of a blanket dismissal of someone's contribution.

## Examples

只换封面而不改内容，仍然无济于事。

### Traditional Chinese

只換封面而不改內容，仍然無濟於事。

zhī huàn fēng miàn ér bù gǎi nèi róng ， réng rán wú jì yú shì 。

Changing only the cover does not solve the content problem.

时间已改，沿用旧表无济于事。

### Traditional Chinese

時間已改，沿用舊錶無濟於事。

shí jiān yǐ gǎi ， yán yòng jiù biǎo wú jì yú shì 。

Using the old timetable is no help after the schedule changes.

反复说快一点无济于事，需要分工。

### Traditional Chinese

反覆說快一點無濟於事，需要分工。

fǎn fù shuō kuài yì diǎn wú jì yú shì ， xū yào fēn gōng 。

Repeating that we should hurry does not help; we need clear roles.

这种解释对初学者无济于事。

### Traditional Chinese

這種解釋對初學者無濟於事。

zhè zhǒng jiě shì duì chū xué zhě wú jì yú shì 。

That explanation offers beginners no useful help.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1148&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%84%A1%E6%BF%9F%E6%96%BC%E4%BA%8B)

## Keep exploring

- [无可奈何 wú kě nài hé Have no workable way to change the situation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-ke-nai-he)

- [无所适从 wú suǒ shì cóng Not know which course or instruction to follow ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-suo-shi-cong)

- [先声夺人 xiān shēng duó rén Gain an advantage through a strong opening ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xian-sheng-duo-ren)

- [萧规曹随 xiāo guī cáo suí Continue a predecessor's policies ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xiao-gui-cao-sui)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 物极必反 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-ji-bi-fan) [Next idiom 无可奈何 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wu-ke-nai-he)