(けんたい)

けんたい
noun
weariness; languor; ennui
1. weariness; languor; fatigue
A feeling of physical or mental tiredness, often chronic or resulting from prolonged activity.
倦怠感(けんたいかん)()れない。
I can't shake this feeling of weariness.
(なつ)バテで倦怠(けんたい)(かん)じる。
I feel languid from the summer heat exhaustion.
風邪(かぜ)初期(しょき)症状(しょうじょう)として倦怠感(けんたいかん)()ることが(おお)い。
Fatigue often appears as an early symptom of a cold.
2. ennui; boredom; tedium
A psychological state of listlessness or dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest or stimulation.
結婚(けっこん)生活(せいかつ)倦怠期(けんたいき)(おとず)れた。
A period of ennui arrived in our married life.
毎日(まいにち)(おな)じことの()(かえ)しで倦怠(けんたい)(おぼ)える。
I feel a sense of tedium from repeating the same thing every day.
何年(なんねん)(おな)仕事(しごと)(つづ)けていると、どうしても倦怠(けんたい)(かん)じてしまう。
After doing the same job for many years, you can't help but feel a sense of ennui.

倦怠(けんたい) covers two distinct meanings: physical fatigue and psychological ennui. The word is literary in tone and more formal than everyday expressions for tiredness.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 倦怠感(けんたいかん): feeling of weariness (very common)
  • 倦怠期(けんたいき): period of boredom/staleness (especially in marriages or relationships)
  • 倦怠(けんたい)(かん)じる: to feel weary
  • 倦怠(けんたい)(おぼ)える: to experience a sense of ennui

MEDICAL USAGE:
倦怠感(けんたいかん) is the standard term in medical contexts for fatigue as a symptom. Doctors commonly ask about it during examinations.

CONTRAST:

  • (つか)れ: general tiredness (everyday word)
  • 倦怠(けんたい): deeper weariness or ennui (literary/formal)
  • 退屈(たいくつ): boredom from lack of stimulation (more casual)