Chinese word

单调

Pronunciation

Pinyindān diào

Meaning

  • adjectiveboring

Example

这个电影太单调，看不下去。zhè ge diàn yǐng tài dān diào kàn bú xià qù

This movie is too boring to keep watching.

Illustration for 单调 (boring)

More examples

他的工作很单调，每天都是一样的。tā de gōng zuò hěn dān diào měi tiān dōu shì yí yàng de

His work is very monotonous, and every day is the same.

Core concept

One unchanging thread runs through the whole thing, leaving no fresh turn or contrast.

Common phrases

  • 单调的生活dān diào de shēng huó

    monotonous life

  • 单调的工作dān diào de gōng zuò

    monotonous work

  • 声音单调shēng yīn dān diào

    monotonous voice

Similar words

重复chóng fù: Marked by the same actions or content appearing again and again with little change.
平淡píng dàn: Lacking strong flavor, character, or expression and leaving a weak impression.
无聊wú liáo: Lacking enough fun or excitement to hold interest, causing a feeling of boredom.
单一dān yī: Made up of only one type or kind, with little variety.

Definition in Chinese

指风格、内容或节奏缺乏变化，给人重复、单一而感到无聊的感觉。zhǐ fēng gé nèi róng huò jié zòu quē fá biàn huà gěi rén chóng fù dān yì ér gǎn dào wú liáo de gǎn jué

Word origin

The formation 单 (dān, "single") + 调 (diào, "tone") presents a single tune with no change, then applies that image to broader forms of style, content, and rhythm.

Usage tips

  • A precise everyday comment names the part that lacks variety, such as a film's plot, pace, dialogue, or visual style.

Other meanings

  • monotonousadjective
  • tediousadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 单调地dān diào dìmonotonouslyadverb
  • 单调性dān diào xìngmonotonynoun

Word lists with this word