futile / idle
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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.
idle
Without occupation or work; inactive and with a lot of free time. This meaning is rather rare or elevated today.
An einem müssigen Nachmittag saß er im Garten und las ein Buch.
On an idle afternoon, he sat in the garden and read a book.
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.
pointless / senseless
Sinnlos generally describes a discussion without a reasonable purpose or benefit. Müssig is especially appropriate when further discussion is unnecessary because no result is possible or the answer is already known. In this narrower case, both words can be used.
Die Diskussion ist müssig, weil die Antwort bereits feststeht.
The discussion is futile because the answer has already been determined.
Die Diskussion ist sinnlos, weil keine Seite bereit ist, ihre Meinung zu prüfen.
The discussion is pointless because neither side is willing to reconsider its opinion.
