枯燥

• Pinyin: kū zào
• Hanzi breakdown: 枯 = 木 (wood) + 古 (old) — withered; 燥 = 火 (fire) + 喿 (chirping) — dry

Meaning

Dull; dry; monotonous; boring. Describes something lacking in interest or variety.

Often used to describe work, studies, or activities that are tedious and unstimulating. Can also describe writing or speech that lacks vitality. Often paired with 乏味 (tasteless) as 枯燥乏味 for emphasis.

Examples

1. 每天重复同样的工作，实在太枯燥了。 Repeating the same work every day is really too monotonous.
2. 他的讲座内容虽然专业，但形式过于枯燥。 His lecture content is professional, but the format is too dry.
3. 枯燥的数据背后其实隐藏着有趣的故事。 Behind the dry data are actually hidden interesting stories.

Usage Guide

Context: work, study, criticism

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 这份工作太枯燥了。(This job is too monotonous.)
• 枯燥的理论需要结合实例。(Dry theory needs to be combined with examples.)

Don't Say

• 用枯燥形容天气。(Don't use 枯燥 for weather — it describes lack of interest, not dryness; use 干燥 for weather)

Origin & History

Compound of 枯 (withered/dry) + 燥 (dry/parched). Originally describing dried-out plants, extended to mean lacking life or interest.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal