退屈
taikutsu[ta̠ikɯ̟t͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for tedious is 退屈 (taikutsu).
退屈 is used to refer to boredom or monotony. While it can function as a noun meaning 'boredom', it is most commonly used as a na-adjective to mean 'tedious' or 'boring'.
Meaning: boring, monotonous (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective to modify a noun, the form 退屈 takes the particle な. When used at the end of a sentence to describe a subject, the form is typically followed by だ in plain style or です in polite style.
How do you pronounce it?
taikutsu
Did you know?
- The kanji 退 in 退屈 means 'to retreat' or 'withdraw' and 屈 means 'to bend' or 'yield', literally suggesting a state of being worn down or pushed back.
- The term 暇 (hima), which usually means 'free time', can be used as slang to describe a situation that is so empty and devoid of stimulation that it is tedious.
- Describing a person as 退屈な人 (taikutsu na hito) is considered quite blunt. It suggests the individual is fundamentally dull rather than just describing a temporary mood.
Examples in context
- 彼の話はいつも長くて退屈だ。His speeches are always long and tedious.This sentence shows how to use 退屈 to describe a long speech.
- 積み重ねた退屈な仕事がおかげさまで済んできた。Thanks to you, the backlog of tedious work has been completed.This sentence demonstrates using 退屈 to describe a backlog of work.Tatoeba #779018 by marloncori, translation #783845 by hrin
- 労働力の４０パーセントはホワイトカラー労働者であり、その大部分は、退屈でばかばかしいデッチアゲ仕事をしている。Forty percent of the workforce are white-collar workers, most of whom have some of the most tedious and idiotic jobs ever concocted.This sentence illustrates using 退屈 to describe certain types of jobs.Tatoeba #74463 by fcbond, translation #329256 by fcbond
- 単調な仕事を長時間続けると、つまらなくてやる気がなくなる。When you continue with a tedious job for an extended period, it becomes boring, and you lose motivation.
- 毎日同じことを繰り返すと、煩わしく感じます。When I repeat the same thing every day, it feels tedious.
- 授業中の長い講義は私にとって退屈でした。The long lectures during class were tedious for me.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are waiting for a long time at a station.
- 陽太 Yota待ち時間が長くて退屈だね。Machijikan ga nagakute taikutsu da ne.Waiting for so long is tedious, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui本当。何か面白いことないかな。Hontō. Nanika omoshiroi koto nai kana.True. I wonder if there's anything interesting to do.
- 陽太 Yotaスマホでゲームでもしようか。Sumaho de gēmu demo shiyō ka.Shall we play a game on our phones?
- 結衣 Yuiいい考え！そうしよう。Ii kangae! Sō shiyō.Good idea! Let's do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 退屈, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
