もったいない: Learn About "Mottainai" Because It's Mottainai If You Don't

The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language

もったいない (mottainai) is a unique Japanese word that articulates the sense of regret, guilt, and sorrow you feel for wasting all sorts of things — food, physical objects, time, opportunities, and potential. In this episode, Kanae and Jenny (big fans of mottainai) talk about the nuances of the word, as well as Japan's cultural and religious views that have deeply influenced it or been influenced by it. For more information about もったいない, check out Kanae's article: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/mottainai/