futile / idle
Loading your saved state.
futile
Unnecessary or pointless because it leads to no result or the answer is already known.
Es ist müssig, darüber zu streiten, wer die Schuld trägt; wir müssen jetzt eine Lösung finden.
It is futile to argue about who is to blame; we need to find a solution now.
The adjective 'müssig' (futile/idle) is closely related to the noun 'die Muße' (leisure), which means 'free time' or 'relaxed inactivity'. This origin explains both meanings: a pointless discussion is a waste of time, and someone who is inactive has a lot of free time.
Er genoss die Muße des Sonntagnachmittags.
He enjoyed the leisure of Sunday afternoon.
'Müssig' (futile) is very often used in the fixed structure 'Es ist müssig, etwas zu tun' (It is futile to do something). It describes that an action or discussion is pointless.
Es ist müssig, darüber zu diskutieren, was gewesen wäre, wenn.
It is futile to discuss what would have happened if things had been different.
In the meaning 'pointless', 'müssig' (futile) almost always appears with abstract nouns that describe a mental activity. Typical phrases are 'eine müssige Frage' (a futile question), 'eine müssige Debatte' (a futile debate), or 'müssige Spekulationen' (idle speculation).
Das ist eine müssige Frage, denn wir können die Vergangenheit nicht ändern.
That is a futile question, because we cannot change the past.
The meaning 'inactive' or 'without occupation' is rare today and sounds elevated or literary. It is unusual in everyday language.
Der Dichter verbrachte viele müssige Stunden im Park.
The poet spent many idle hours in the park.
sensible
'sinnvoll' and 'müssig' can both evaluate whether something is worth doing or discussing. 'sinnvoll' means that something has a purpose and is likely to help. Here, 'müssig' means that something is unnecessary or pointless because it does not lead to any result or the answer is already clear. 'müssig' sounds rather elevated and is often used for discussions or questions. In everyday language, people more often say 'sinnlos' or 'überflüssig'.
Nach der Entscheidung war es müssig, weiter über alte Vorschläge zu streiten.
After the decision, it was futile to keep arguing about old suggestions.
Vor der Klassenfahrt ist eine genaue Liste mit allen Kosten sinnvoll.
Before the class trip, a detailed list of all the costs is useful.