dull

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is どん, and the kun readings are にぶい, にぶる, なまる, or なまくら. It has 12 strokes. It appears in words for dull blades or responses and insensitivity.
• Basic usage: 鈍い is read にぶい, and 鈍感 is read どんかん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 鈍い / 鈍感
  • 鈍い means dull or slow and is read にぶい. It describes a blade as dull or a response as slow.
  • この包丁は刃が鈍くて、トマトが切れない。 means “This kitchen knife is dull and will not cut the tomato.”
  • 鈍感 means insensitive or unresponsive and is read どんかん. It describes being insensitive to changes in the surroundings or to cold.
  • 彼は周囲の雰囲気の変化に少し鈍感です。 means “He is a little insensitive to changes in the atmosphere around him.”