退屈した
taikutsu shita
The Japanese word for bored is 退屈した (taikutsu shita).
退屈した is used to describe a person who is suffering from boredom. If you wish to describe a continuous state of feeling bored right now, it is more natural to use the progressive form 退屈している.
Meaning: suffering from boredom (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the noun 退屈, which means boredom or tedium and the verb form of suru (to do).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between how you describe a person and how you describe a thing. Use 退屈した to describe a person's feeling of being bored, whereas つまらない is used to describe a thing or situation that is boring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 退屈した uses the past tense of the verb suru (to do) to describe the state of having become bored.
How do you pronounce it?
taikutsu shita
Did you know?
- The word つまらない originally comes from the phrase 'not worth picking up with chopsticks', referring to something so small or insignificant that it is not worth the effort.
- In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often express boredom by saying 暇 hima, which literally means 'free time' or 'empty space'.
- The word 退屈 contains the character for 'exit' or 'retreat' 退 and 'comfort' or 'ease' 屈, suggesting a state where one has retreated from the active world into a stagnant ease.
Examples in context
- 私は毎日のルーティンに退屈しています。I am bored with my daily routine.
- 映画がつまらなかった。The movie was boring.
- 退屈した授業だった。taikutushita jugyou datta.It was a boring class.
- 暇すぎて、退屈した。himasugite, taikutushita.I was so free that I got bored.
- 退屈した顔をしないで。taikutushita kao o shinaide.Don't make a bored face.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are waiting for a late train.
- 美咲 Misaki電車が全然来なくて、退屈したわ。Densha ga zenzen konakute, taikutsu shita wa.The train isn't coming at all, I'm bored.
- 陽太 Yota本当だね。何か面白い話をしてよ。Hontou da ne. Nanika omoshiroi hanashi o shite yo.You're right. Tell me something interesting.
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。最近あった変な出来事を話すね。Ii yo. Saikin atta hen na dekigoto o hanasu ne.Sure. I'll tell you about a strange thing that happened recently.
- 陽太 Yotaそれは助かる。楽しみにしてるよ。Sore wa tasukaru. Tanoshimi ni shiteru yo.That helps. I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bored” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
