contextual

How do I say ‘I’m bored’?

Very natural casually, but it can describe either your feeling or the thing you find boring.

好无聊

hǎo wúliáo

I’m so bored.

LITERAL

So boring / bored.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

I’m so bored.

WHEN IT FITS

Casual complaintsTexting friendsReacting to an activity or situation

Chinese often drops 我 when the situation already makes it clear who is bored.

Chinese often drops 我 when context already makes the subject clear — the boredom belongs to the speaker by default. 无聊 can describe a thing (the meeting is boring), a feeling (I’m bored), or a person (he’s dull). When using it about a person, make the subject explicit to avoid unintended personal criticism that lands harder in Chinese than in English.

HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY IT

周末一个人在家，好无聊。

Zhōumò yí ge rén zài jiā, hǎo wúliáo.

I’m home alone this weekend. I’m so bored.

Personal feeling

这个会也太无聊了。

Zhège huì yě tài wúliáo le.

This meeting is way too boring.

Describing an event

CHOOSE BY SITUATION

我闲得发慌

wǒ xián de fāhuāng

I have so little to do that I’m restless.

Boredom comes from having nothing to do