Explanation
Expresses the meaning of 'without worth', 'in vain', 'fruitless'.
Formation
Verb-た + かいもなく / Noun + の + かいもなく
Detailed explanation
The ～かいもなく grammar point is used to express that something has been done without worth, in vain, or fruitlessly. It often appears as 'Verb-た + かいもなく' or 'Noun + の + かいもなく' to indicate that an effort did not produce the hoped-for result.
Examples
Nagai aida kurō shita kai mo naku, shippai shite shimatta.
I struggled for a long time, but in the end, it was all in vain and I failed.
Kono purojekuto ni takusan jikan o kaketa kai mo naku, umaku ikanakatta.
I spent a lot of time on this project, but it ended fruitlessly.
Tasuke o motometa kai mo naku, dare mo konakatta.
He asked for help, but it was in vain as no one came.
Iroirona hōhō de daietto o kokoromita kai mo naku, zenzen yasenakatta.
I tried various diet methods, but it was all for nothing—I didn't lose any weight.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.