langweilig
/ˈlaŋvaɪ̯lɪç/
The English word 'dull' can be translated into German as langweilig. Wiktionary also lists fad.
Meaning: boring, not exciting or interesting (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| langweilig | /ˈlaŋvaɪ̯lɪç/ /ˈlaŋvaɪ̯lɪk/ |
| fad | /faːt/ |
The primary way to express that something is boring or lacks interest is by using langweilig. If you wish to describe something that is specifically dull due to a lack of excitement, you might use öde. For a sense of being gloomy, bleak or cheerless, the word trostlos is more appropriate. To express the concept of 'to become dull' or 'to render dull' as a verb, use abstumpfen.
Which one should you use?
While both fad and langweilig can mean dull, langweilig is the standard and most common way to say something is boring or uninteresting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
langweilig is indeclinable when used as a predicative adjective (for example, 'Das ist langweilig'). The noun form for 'boredom' is die Langeweile.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaŋvaɪ̯lɪç/
Did you know?
- The word fad is a direct loan from the French word 'fade', meaning 'tasteless'. In German, it is used both for food that lacks flavor and for events that lack excitement.
- German speakers use the verb abstumpfen to describe a mind becoming dull or desensitized, often due to repeated trauma or stress.
- While langweilig describes a boring activity, the word öde can describe a landscape that is not just boring, but desolate and empty. It carries a sense of vast, lifeless space.
Examples in context
- Diese Feier ist fade.This party is dull.This sentence uses fad to describe a party.Tatoeba #3943686 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3938837 by Hybrid
- Dieser Roman ist zu fade.This novel is too dull.This sentence uses fad to describe a novel.Tatoeba #12254168 by Yorwba, translation #12263931 by sundown
- Mit Tom wird es niemals langweilig.There's never a dull moment with Tom.This sentence uses langweilig to describe a lack of dull moments.Tatoeba #8068916 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6695652 by Hybrid
- Die Präsentation war eintönigThe presentation was monotonous
- Der Vortrag gestern war ödeThe talk yesterday was boring
- Das war eine trostlose VorstellungThat was a dull performance
- Der Vortrag war langweilig wie eine SchlaftabletteThe talk was dull as a sleeping pill
- Das Konzert gestern war voll langweiligThe concert yesterday was totally boring
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are sitting in a cinema.
- LukasFindest du den Film auch langweilig?Do you also find the movie boring?
- JuliaJa, er ist wirklich sehr langweilig.Yes, it is really very dull.
- LukasSollen wir nach Hause gehen?Should we go home?
- JuliaJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dull” translations and entries langweilig, fad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fad, langweilig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
