単調
tanchō
The English word "monotone" is translated into Japanese as 単調 (tanchō).
単調 is used to describe something that has a single pitch. It is frequently used to describe repetitive, boring or unvarying tasks and routines, such as 単調な作業 (monotonous work).
Meaning: having a single pitch (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When it is used to modify a noun, it takes the suffix な, as in 単調な (monotonous). When it is used as a predicate at the end of a sentence, the form is used as a na-adjective 単調だ (is monotonous).
How do you pronounce it?
tanchō
Did you know?
- While 単調 describes the quality of being monotonous, Japanese speakers often use the loanword モノトーン to specifically describe a color scheme of black, white and grey.
- The word can be used in a literary sense to describe a landscape that is 'flat' or 'featureless', such as an endless field of sand or snow.
- While 単調 is often used for sound or tasks, it can also describe a person's character or personality as being 'one-dimensional' or lacking depth.
Examples in context
- 彼の話し方は単調だ。Kare no hanashikata wa tancho da.His way of speaking is monotone.
- 単調な作業は苦手です。Tancho na sagyo wa nigate desu.I am not good at monotonous work.
- 単調なリズムが続く。Tancho na rizumu ga tsuzuku.A monotonous rhythm continues.
Example conversation
Himari and Yota are discussing a presentation.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太の発表は少し単調だったね。Yota no happyō wa sukoshi tanchō datta ne.Yota, your presentation was a bit monotone.
- 陽太 Yota本当に？緊張していたからかな。Hontō ni? Kinchō shite ita kara kana.Really? Maybe it's because I was nervous.
- 陽葵 Himariもう少し抑揚をつけるといいよ。Mō sukoshi yokuyō o tsukeru to ii yo.It would be better if you added more inflection.
- 陽太 Yotaアドバイスをありがとう、陽葵。Adobaisu o arigatō, Himari.Thanks for the advice, Himari.
