淡泊(たんぱく)

たんぱく
na-adjective
plain; light; mild
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.

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

COMPOSITION:

  • 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(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 TERMS:

  • 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))
general
Added 2026.1.22 14:13 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07500/07906_tanpaku