鈍(にぶ)い

にぶい
i-adjective
dull; blunt; slow; dim
1. dull; blunt
Not sharp, as of a blade or edge.
この包丁(ほうちょう)は鈍(にぶ)くなった。
This kitchen knife has become dull.
鈍(にぶ)い刃(は)では切(き)れない。
You can't cut with a dull blade.
鈍(にぶ)いナイフで肉(にく)を切(き)るのは大変(たいへん)だ。
It's tough to cut meat with a blunt knife.
2. slow; sluggish; dim-witted
Lacking quickness of perception or response.
彼(かれ)は反応(はんのう)が鈍(にぶ)い。
He is slow to react.
彼(かれ)は感覚(かんかく)が鈍(にぶ)い。
He has dull senses.
寝不足(ねぶそく)で頭(あたま)の回転(かいてん)が鈍(にぶ)くなった。
My thinking became sluggish from lack of sleep.
3. dull; muted (color, sound, pain)
Not bright, clear, or intense.
鈍(にぶ)い痛(いた)みが続(つづ)いている。
A dull pain continues.
鈍(にぶ)い光(ひかり)が窓(まど)から差(さ)し込(こ)んでいた。
A dim light was coming in through the window.
鈍(にぶ)い音(おと)がして、何(なに)かが落(お)ちたようだ。
There was a dull sound, and it seemed like something fell.

鈍(にぶ)い is an i-adjective describing dullness in various contexts: physical sharpness, mental quickness, or intensity.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 鈍(にぶ)く
  • Noun form: 鈍(にぶ)さ (dullness)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 刃(は)が鈍(にぶ)い (blade is dull)
  • 反応(はんのう)が鈍(にぶ)い (slow reaction)
  • 勘(かん)が鈍(にぶ)い (poor intuition)
  • 鈍(にぶ)い色(いろ) (dull color)
  • 鈍(にぶ)い痛(いた)み (dull pain)

ANTONYMS:

  • 鋭(するど)い: Sharp, keen (opposite in all senses)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 鈍(にぶ)い vs. 遅(おそ)い: 鈍(にぶ)い implies sluggishness or lack of sharpness, while 遅(おそ)い simply means slow (speed or timing).

Register: Neutral. Can be critical when applied to people (calling someone 鈍(にぶ)い is somewhat rude).

Related Words

Antonym: 鋭(するど)い (sharp, keen)
general
Added 2026.1.13 15:25 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
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