JLPT N1

～かいもなく

Without any reward; in vain

Structure

Verb た-form / Noun + の + かいもなく

How it works

This phrase signifies that despite one's efforts, struggles, or pains, the desired outcome was not achieved, rendering all the work pointless. It conveys a sense of futility and disappointment.

Examples

努力のかいもなく、試合に負けてしまった。

Despite all our efforts, we lost the match in vain.

Common mistakes

Confusing it with simple 'without success'; it specifically implies the effort was in vain, not just unsuccessful.

Tip

Relate it to "it was all for naught".

More JLPT N1 grammar

いかんによらずをもってをものともせずともなるとであれたりとも~ないに足る極まりない

See ～かいもなく in real Japanese

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