退屈です
taikutsu desu
The English phrase "I am bored" is expressed in Japanese as 退屈です (taikutsu desu).
This phrase is used to express that a person feels weary and restless because they have nothing interesting to do. In social contexts, Japanese speakers often use 暇です (hima desu) to mean "I have nothing to do" or "I am free," which serves as a common way to communicate that one is bored.
Which one should you use?
While 退屈です (taikutsu desu) is a complete sentence meaning "I am bored," the standalone word 退屈 (taikutsu) functions as a noun or adjectival noun meaning "boredom" or "tedium."
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase is 退屈だ (taikutsu da).
How do you pronounce it?
taikutsu desu
Did you know?
- Because Japanese culture often emphasizes 'reading the air', saying 退屈です (taikutsu desu) directly can sometimes be seen as impolite because it points out a lack of stimulation in the current environment.
- The word 退屈 (taikutsu) contains the character for 'recede' or 'retreat' 退, implying a feeling of the mind withdrawing from the world.
- While 退屈です describes a feeling of boredom, saying 暇です can be a subtle social invitation for the other person to suggest an activity or invite you out.
Examples in context
- 本当に退屈してる。I'm really bored.
- 超つまんないよ。It's so boring.
- この映画はつまんない。This movie is boring.
- ウンザリしてる。I'm fed up.
- 今はとても退屈です。Ima wa totemo taikutsu desu.I am very bored right now.
- 待ち時間が長くて退屈です。Machijikan ga nagakute taikutsu desu.The waiting time is long and I am bored.
- 何もすることがなくて退屈です。Nani mo suru koto ga nakute taikutsu desu.I am bored because there is nothing to do.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are waiting at a train station.
- 美咲 Misaki電車が来なくて退屈です。Densha ga konakute taikutsu desu.The train isn't coming and I'm bored.
- 蓮 Ren一緒にゲームをしましょう。Issho ni gēmu o shimashō.Let's play a game together.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。やりましょう。Ii desu ne. Yarimashō.That sounds good. Let's do it.
- 蓮 Renこれで退屈しませんね。Kore de taikutsu shimasen ne.Now you won't be bored.
