Translation guide
The quality of being uninteresting, lacking sharpness, or not bright. This guide covers how to express dullness in various contexts, from boring experiences to blunt objects and muted colors.
Describing something that lacks excitement or interest, such as a person, event, or activity.
The most common word for 'boring' or 'dull' in the sense of lacking interest. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
This movie was dull.
His story was so dull I got sleepy.
A very common i-adjective meaning 'boring', 'dull', or 'uninteresting'. Slightly more casual than 退屈.
That book was dull.
It was a dull meeting.
Literally 'not interesting', a straightforward way to say something is dull. The negative form of 面白い (interesting).
This game is dull.
A formal, literary term meaning 'dry and tasteless', used for something utterly dull and lifeless.
It was a dry and dull lecture.
Describing a blade, point, or edge that is not sharp.
An i-adjective meaning 'dull', 'blunt', or 'slow'. Used for knives, senses, and also for slow-witted people.
This kitchen knife is dull.
He heard a dull thud.
A phrase meaning 'the cutting quality is bad', i.e., the blade is dull. More descriptive than 鈍い.
This knife is dull.
A somewhat old-fashioned or colloquial term for a blunt sword or knife, also used metaphorically for a useless person.
Describing colors, light, or surfaces that are not vivid or shiny.
The past tense of くすむ, used as an adjective meaning 'dull', 'lackluster', or 'faded'. Commonly used for colors.
She is wearing clothes in dull colors.
The wall color looks dull.
Also used for dull light or a dull sound, as in 'a dull glow' or 'a dull thud'.
Means 'cloudy' or 'dull' when referring to a surface that has lost its shine, like a mirror or metal.
I polished the dull mirror.
Means 'dull', 'lackluster', or 'unclear'. Often used for colors, weather, or a person's expression.
The sky looks dull.
Describing a person who is not quick to understand or react.
Can mean 'slow' or 'dull' mentally. Often used with 頭 (head) as in 頭が鈍い.
He is dull-witted.
My mind is dull today and I can't concentrate.
A colloquial noun meaning 'slowpoke' or 'dullard'. Can be insulting.
A formal, literary term meaning 'stupid' or 'dull-witted'. Stronger and more insulting.
Describing a pain that is not sharp but persistent and heavy.
Describing a sound that is not clear or resonant, like a thud.
Both mean 'boring' or 'dull', but 退屈 is slightly more formal and often used for situations or things that are tedious over time. つまらない is more casual and can also mean 'trivial' or 'worthless'. In everyday conversation, つまらない is very common.
While 'dull weather' is common in English, directly translating it as 鈍い天気 sounds unnatural. Use 曇った (cloudy), 冴えない (gloomy), or どんよりした (overcast/dull) instead.
a dull sky
そんななまくらな刀では切れない。
You can't cut with such a dull sword.
鈍い光が部屋を照らしていた。
A dull light illuminated the room.
That guy is dull/slow.
He is a dull-witted person.
It fell to the floor with a dull thud.