Japanese Conversation · Level 57
75 words
Japanese word
鈍い
Pronunciation
Romajinibui
Meaning
- i-adjectivedull
Example
このナイフは鈍いです。ko no na i fu wa nibu i de su
This knife is dull.
More examples
その薬を飲むと、痛みが鈍くなります。so no kusuri o no mu to ita mi ga nibu ku na ri ma su
When I take that medicine, the pain becomes dull.
Core concept
Expresses reduced sharpness or speed, as when a knife cuts poorly or a response comes slowly.
Common phrases
鈍い痛みnibu i ita mi
dull pain
鈍い感覚nibu i kan kaku
dull sensation
Similar words
遅いosoi: Taking more time than expected to move, act, or respond.
鈍臭いnibukusai: It describes someone whose actions are both slow and clumsy.
Definition in Japanese
刃物の刃がよく切れず、または動作や反応が速やかでないさま。ha mono no ha ga yo ku ki re zu ma ta wa dō sa ya han nō ga sumi ya ka de na i sa ma
Word origin
鈍い (nibui) is a native Japanese adjective formed from the root seen in 鈍る (niburu), meaning "to become blunt or dull," followed by the adjective ending い (i).
Usage tips
- In Japanese, 鈍い (nibui) can describe a knife that cuts poorly as well as a reaction that is slow, whereas English dull often refers to something boring.