一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)

いっぽんちょうし
noun, na-adjective
monotone; monotonous; lacking variety
descriptive
1. monotone; monotonous; lacking variety or variation
A state where something continues in the same manner without change or variation. Used to describe speech, music, writing, or any activity that lacks dynamic range.
彼(かれ)の話(はなし)し方(かた)は一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)だ。
His way of speaking is monotonous.
プレゼンが一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)にならないように工夫(くふう)した。
I made efforts to keep the presentation from becoming monotonous.
一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)な展開(てんかい)が続(つづ)いて、途中(とちゅう)で飽(あ)きてしまった。
The monotonous development continued, and I got bored halfway through.

Usage

Can be used as a noun or as a な-adjective (一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)な). Generally carries a negative nuance, implying something is boring or uninspiring due to lack of variation.

Common collocations

  • 一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)な話(はなし)し方(かた) (monotonous way of speaking)
  • 一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)な展開(てんかい) (monotonous development/progression)
  • 一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)になる (to become monotonous)
  • 一本調子(いっぽんちょうし)を避(さ)ける (to avoid monotony)

Similar words