stupid; dull-witted; thickheaded
Describes a person or their thinking as slow, dim, or lacking sharpness. Often used in casual, mildly derogatory speech.
He's so thickheaded that explaining it to him is pointless.
ぼんくらな部下に手を焼いている。
I'm having trouble with my dim-witted subordinate.
Refers to a person who is habitually stupid or slow on the uptake. Used as a mild insult.
そんな簡単なこともわからないなんて、お前はぼんくらだな。
You don't even understand something that simple? You're such a dimwit.
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 盆暗 is rare and may not be widely recognized.
Katakana variant, often used for emphasis or in casual contexts.
Kanji form; rarely used and may be unfamiliar to many readers.
From 盆暗, originally a gambling-table term for a person unable to follow the play, and hence a dull-witted or incompetent person.