Japanese Conversation · Level 22
90 words
Japanese word
つまらない
Pronunciation
Romajitsumaranai
Meaning
- i-adjectiveboring
Example
この映画はつまらないです。ko no ei ga wa tsu ma ra na i de su
This movie is boring.
More examples
友達のつまらない冗談に、みんな黙ってしまいました。tomo dachi no tsu ma ra na i jō dan ni mi n na dama tte shi ma i ma shi ta
Everyone fell silent at my friend's lame joke.
Core concept
Describes something that leaves a person feeling that there is no engaging content or pleasure in it.
Common phrases
つまらない映画tsu ma ra na i ei ga
a boring movie
つまらない話tsu ma ra na i hanashi
a boring story
Similar words
くだらないkudaranai: Describes something silly or unimportant that does not seem worth attention.
味気ないajikenai: Describes something that feels dull because it lacks liveliness or appeal.
Definition in Japanese
内容に興味を引かず、面白さや楽しさがないさま。nai yō ni kyō mi o hi ka zu omo shiro sa ya tano shi sa ga na i sa ma
Word origin
つまらない (tsumaranai) is formed from つまる (tsumaru, "to end") and ない (nai, "not"), with its meaning developing from the idea of something that does not reach a satisfying conclusion.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, つまらない (tsumaranai) can describe a joke, story, movie, or activity that fails to keep someone interested.
Other meanings
- uninterestingi-adjective
Opposites
- おもしろいomoshiroiinterestingi-adjective
Related words
- つまらなさtsumaranasadullnessnoun