つまらない
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Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes something that lacks interest or excitement.
Theme
During a weekend hangout, User and their friend Mika discuss a movie they both watched recently.
つまらない
つまらない
boring, dull
People & IdentityEmotions & Personality
Memory Hook
Imagine a boring movie that makes you yawn and say 'tsuma-ranai' — it sounds like 'tsuma' (wife) + 'ranai' (not), but think: 'It's so boring, it's not worth a wife's time!'
Cultural Note
In Japan, expressing boredom directly with 『つまらない』 (tsumaranai) is common in casual settings, but in formal situations, people might use softer phrases like 『あまり面白くない』 (amari omoshirokunai, 'not very interesting') to be polite.
Forms
Base: つまらないBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes something that lacks interest or excitement.
Negative: つまらなくないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『つまらなくない』 (tsumaranakunai).
Past: つまらなかったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『つまらなかった』 (tsumaranakatta).
Adverbial: つまらなくDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『つまらなく』 (tsumaranaku).
Comparative: よりつまらないComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番つまらないSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.