単調(たんちょう)

たんちょう
na-adjective, noun
monotonous, humdrum
descriptive
1. monotonous, humdrum, tedious
Lacking in variety or change, resulting in boredom. Describes repetitive situations, routines, or sounds that feel dull due to their uniformity.
毎日(まいにち)単調(たんちょう)な生活(せいかつ)を送(おく)っている。
I live a monotonous life every day.
単調(たんちょう)な作業(さぎょう)が続(つづ)くと集中力(しゅうちゅうりょく)が落(お)ちる。
When monotonous work continues, concentration drops.
景色(けしき)が変(か)わらない単調(たんちょう)な道(みち)を何時間(なんじかん)も運転(うんてん)するのは辛(つら)い。
Driving for hours on a monotonous road where the scenery doesn't change is tough.

単調(たんちょう) describes something that lacks variety or change, making it feel dull or tedious. It is a na-adjective with a generally negative connotation.

Forms

単(たん) (single, simple) + 調(ちょう) (tone, key). Literally "single tone," evoking the idea of no variation in pitch or pattern.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 一本調子(いっぽんちょうし) (monotone)
Compare: 無味乾燥(むみかんそう) (dull)
general
Added 2026.2.18 21:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11500/11832_tanchou