vano

vain

noun adjective BAH-noh Less Common

Origin: From Latin vanus ('empty, hollow').

Also means

opening

Usage Note

Vano as an adjective means 'vain, futile' (un esfuerzo vano = 'a futile effort') and is used in the set phrase en vano ('in vain'). As a masculine noun it means a window or door opening in architecture (el vano de la puerta = 'the door frame/opening'). The more common 'vain' in the sense of conceited is vanidoso, not vano.

Examples

"Sus esfuerzos fueron en vano."

Natural Translation

His efforts were in vain.

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