淡 泊(たんぱく)

たんぱく

na-adjective

plain; light; mild

descriptive personality

1. plain; light; mild (taste)

having a delicate, subtle flavor; not rich or heavy

この魚(さかな)は淡泊(たんぱく)な味(あじ)だ。

This fish has a mild flavor.

豆腐(とうふ)は淡泊(たんぱく)なので、何(なに)にでも合(あ)う。

Tofu has a mild taste, so it goes with anything.

今日(きょう)は淡泊(たんぱく)なものが食(た)べたい。

I want to eat something light today.

淡泊(たんぱく)な白身魚(しろみざかな)が好(す)きだ。

I like mild-flavored white fish.

2. indifferent; detached; dispassionate

showing little interest or emotional involvement; matter-of-fact

彼(かれ)は人付(ひとづ)き合(あ)いに淡泊(たんぱく)だ。

He is indifferent to socializing.

彼女(かのじょ)は金(かね)に対(たい)して淡泊(たんぱく)だ。

She is indifferent to money.

彼(かれ)は勝(か)ち負(ま)けに淡泊(たんぱく)で、負(ま)けても気(き)にしない。

He is indifferent to winning and losing, and doesn't mind losing.

淡泊(たんぱく) describes lightness - either in flavor or in emotional involvement.

Etymology

淡(たん): Light, faint, pale
泊(ぱく): Plain, simple

Forms

Attributive: 淡泊(たんぱく)な + noun
Predicate: 淡泊(たんぱく)だ/である
Adverbial: 淡泊(たんぱく)に

Sense 1 (TASTE)

Common with food descriptions
Opposite of 濃厚(のうこう) (rich, thick)
Often used positively for light, delicate flavors
Common with: 豆腐(とうふ), 白身魚(しろみざかな), 鶏(とり)ささみ

Sense 2 (PERSONALITY)

Describes someone who doesn't get emotionally invested
Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context
淡泊(たんぱく)な性格(せいかく) (detached personality)

Common collocations

淡泊(たんぱく)な味(あじ) (mild flavor)
淡泊(たんぱく)な性格(せいかく) (detached personality)
淡泊(たんぱく)な関係(かんけい) (casual relationship)

Related words

濃厚(のうこう) (rich, thick - antonym for taste)
薄味(うすあじ) (lightly seasoned)
無関心(むかんしん) (indifferent - stronger)

Register: Neutral. Common in food and personality descriptions.

Related Words

Antonym: 濃厚(のうこう) (rich, thick (taste))

Related: 薄味(うすあじ) (lightly seasoned)

Related: 無関心(むかんしん) (indifferent)

general

Added 2026.1.22 14:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07500/07906_tanpaku