Chinese word

中庸

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhōng yōng

Meaning

  • adjectivebland

Example

这部电影的剧情有点中庸，没有亮点。zhè bù diàn yǐng de jù qíng yóu diǎn zhōng yōng méi yǒu liàng diǎn

The plot of this movie is a bit bland and has no highlights.

Illustration for 中庸 (bland)

More examples

他的学术观点显得中庸，缺乏创新性。tā de xué shù guān diǎn xiǎn de zhōng yōng quē fá chuàng xīn xìng

His academic views seem bland and lack innovation.

Core concept

Staying safely within the average, with no strong quality that creates a clear and lasting impression.

Common phrases

  • 风格中庸fēng gé zhōng yōng

    dull style

  • 观点中庸guān diǎn zhōng yōng

    ordinary perspective

  • 态度中庸tài dù zhōng yōng

    dull attitude

Similar words

平淡píng dàn: Lacking strong flavor, character, or stimulation, so the overall impression is weak.
平庸píng yōng: Ordinary and lacking anything especially good, so it does not rise above expectations.
乏味fá wèi: Having little interest or appeal and therefore feeling boring.
平凡píng fán: Ordinary rather than special, with nothing that makes it stand out.

Definition in Chinese

中庸表示性格或事物平淡、平凡、缺乏亮点，常含贬义的评价用语。zhōng yōng biǎo shì xìng gé huò shì wù píng dàn píng fán quē fá liàng diǎn cháng hán biǎn yì de píng jià yòng yǔ

Word origin

The classical term 中庸 (zhōngyōng, "the middle way") uses 中 (zhōng, "middle") and 庸 (yōng, "ordinary") to express a balanced position, which gives rise to the modern sense of being unexceptional.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear "the middle way" as praise for balance, but this adjective can be a pointed negative judgment in everyday Chinese, especially in comments about films or performances.

Other meanings

  • dulladjective
  • ordinaryadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 中庸之道zhōng yōng zhī dàothe doctrine of the meanidiom
  • 中庸思想zhōng yōng sī xiǎngthe philosophy of moderationnoun

Word lists with this word