HSK · Level 65
90 words
Chinese word
沉闷
Pronunciation
Pinyinchén mèn
Meaning
- adjectivedull
Example
这本书太沉闷了，我看不下去。zhè běn shū tài chén mèn le wǒ kàn bú xià qù
This book is too dull for me to keep reading it.
More examples
他讲话的方式让人觉得很沉闷。tā jiǎng huà de fāng shì ràng rén jué de hěn chén mèn
His way of speaking makes people feel very bored.
Core concept
A flat, heavy atmosphere with too little movement or fresh energy to hold attention.
Common phrases
感到沉闷gǎn dào chén mèn
feel weighed down
让人沉闷ràng rén chén mèn
make people feel bored
Similar words
无聊wú liáo: Boring because there is no interesting activity or subject to fill the time.
单调dān diào: Unvaried and repetitive, with the same quality continuing and quickly becoming tiring.
枯燥kū zào: Dull and dry because the content offers little flavor, interest, or stimulation.
Definition in Chinese
用于描述言语、文字、环境或天气单调、压抑，缺少新意或活力，让人难以提起兴趣。yòng yú miáo shù yán yǔ wén zì huán jìng huò tiān qì dān diào yā yì quē shǎo xīn yì huò huó lì ràng rén nán yǐ tí qǐ xìng qù
Word origin
沉闷 (chénmèn, "heavy and stifled") combines 沉 (chén, "to sink") with 闷 (mèn, "stifled"), joining physical weight with a closed feeling to describe lifeless expression or surroundings.
Usage tips
- For a person's lack of interest, English often uses "bored," while this adjective more often characterizes the material or situation that fails to create interest.