Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Dull, boring, uninteresting: Describes something that lacks excitement, variety, or interest, causing a feeling of weariness or monotony.
   • Gloomy, dreary: Describes an atmosphere, place, or mood that is depressing, somber, or lacking in cheer.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cuộc sống ở đây thật buồn tẻ. (Life here is so dull.)
  • Căn phòng trống trải trông thật buồn tẻ. (The empty room looks very gloomy.)
  • Buổi diễn thuyết đó nghe buồn tẻ vô cùng. (That lecture sounded incredibly boring.)

Advanced Usage

• "cảm giác buồn tẻ": a feeling of boredom/dullness.

  • Cô ấy không thể chịu nổi cảm giác buồn tẻ của những buổi chiều một mình. (She couldn't stand the feeling of dullness of the lonely afternoons.)

• "một cách buồn tẻ": in a dull/boring manner.

  • Thời gian trôi qua một cách buồn tẻ. (Time passed in a dull manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Buồn (adj): sad, sorrowful. (Note: "Buồn" primarily means sad, while "buồn tẻ" emphasizes dullness and monotony.)
• Tẻ nhạt (adj): bland, insipid, monotonous. (A very close synonym to "buồn tẻ".)
• Đơn điệu (adj): monotonous, uniform. (Often used for sounds or repetitive patterns.)

Synonyms

• Chán ngắt: extremely boring, tedious.
• Tầm thường: ordinary, commonplace (can imply dullness).
• Ảm đạm: gloomy, dismal (often for weather or atmosphere).
• Khô khan: dry, arid (can describe a boring style, e.g., of writing or speaking).

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Cuộc sống buồn tẻ: a dull/humdrum life.
• Công việc buồn tẻ: boring/monotonous work.
• Bầu không khí buồn tẻ: a gloomy/dreary atmosphere.
• Câu chuyện buồn tẻ: a dull/boring story.

Notes on Usage

• "Buồn tẻ" is used to describe situations, environments, activities, or atmospheres that induce boredom or a sense of gloomy monotony. It is stronger than just "buồn" (sad).
• It often carries a subjective judgment; what is "buồn tẻ" for one person might not be for another.
• Commonly used in both spoken and written Vietnamese.

1. Dull, humdrum
   • cuộc sống buồn tẻ
     a humdrum life