Translation and Meaning of: 鈍い - nibui
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 鈍い (nibui) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: nibui
Kana: にぶい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n2
Translation / Meaning: opaque (for example, a knife)
Meaning in English: dull (e.g. a knife);thickheaded;slow (opposite of fast);stupid
Definition: Low sharpness. Little agility.
Table of Content
- Etymology
- Writing
- Synonyms
- Example Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (鈍い) nibui
Etymology and Definition
The Japanese word 「鈍い」(nibui) is composed of two kanji: 「鈍」, which means "slow" or "blunt," and 「い」, which is a common suffix form in adjectives. The radical of 「鈍」 is the 「金」 radical, associated with metals, reinforcing the idea of something that has lost its edge, like a blade or metal tool.
Use and Context
In everyday life, 「鈍い」is used to describe something or someone that has a slow response or reaction, whether physically or mentally. In a more physical context, it can refer to objects that do not cut well, such as knives or scissors, indicating that they have lost their original effectiveness. In a mental or emotional context, it can be used to describe a person who is slow to understand or perceive something.
Variations and Synonyms
- "鈍感" (donkan): insensitive or unaware.
- 「遅い」(osoi): means "slow," but is generally used in relation to time.
- "Bludgeon" (donki): refers to a blunt or non-edged weapon.
These synonyms and variations provide a deeper understanding of the application of 「鈍い」in different contexts and broaden the way the word can be perceived and used.
Origin and History
Historically, the concept of something being 「鈍い」 dates back to pragmatic needs in societies, especially those related to tools and cuts. A 「鈍い」 tool could harm efficiency in daily work, particularly in agriculture and cooking. This literal use evolved to include not only the physically dull but also personality traits and cognitive understanding.
How to Write in Japanese - (鈍い) nibui
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (鈍い) nibui:
Synonyms and similar words
There are different ways of expressing the idea of "Low sharpness. Little agility." in the Japanese language.
A way of saying "opaque (for example, a knife)" é "(鈍い) nibui".
Below is a list of Japanese words that have the same meaning or are a variation of the word. "(鈍い) nibui":
- 鈍重 (Dunju) - Heavy, slow; difficulty in moving or acting.
- 鈍感 (Dunkan) - Insensitive; lack of perception or sensitivity.
- 鈍器 (Dunki) - Blunt weapon; heavy object used for striking.
- 鈍痛 (Duntō) - Constant pain; pain that is dull or not sharp.
- 鈍色 (Dunsui) - Dull color; a color that does not shine or is not vibrant.
- 鈍足 (Dun soku) - Heavy-footed; someone who is slow to run or move.
- 鈍臭 (Dunshū) - Unpleasant smell; strong and unpleasant odor.
Words related to: 鈍い
See also other related words from our dictionary:
Kana: どんかん
Romaji: donkan
Meaning:
bushy head; stolidity
Words with the same pronunciation: にぶい nibui
Example Sentences - (鈍い) nibui
Below are some example sentences:
彼は鈍い人だ。
Kare wa nibui hito da
He is a slow person.
He is a boring person.
- 彼 - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "he"
- は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 鈍い - Japanese adjective meaning "slow", "stupid", "silly"
- 人 - Japanese noun meaning "person"
- だ - Japanese verb indicating the state or condition of the subject
Other words of the same type: adjective
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adjective
