2

I assume 詰まらない came from 詰まる， so my question is then two fold. Why does 詰まらない have the meaning it does (Does it just mean it's not packed, in the sense that it's boring?) and also, are there other 形容詞 that simply pulled themselves from the 否定形？ Lastly, did I phrase my question correctly? I know it's not directly related, but I felt a little weird writing とは, I never know how to reference words.

Improve this question
7
  • The とは in your question is fine. The 作りました is what I question. I don't know that if it's wrong or not, but I'd say something more like 詰まらないとは「詰まる」から派生していますか？
    – istrasci
    Nov 22, 2013 at 22:11
  • Why is it not 派生しました？Why would I use the gerund?
    – user3457
    Nov 22, 2013 at 22:52
  • 1
    Because the situation/state after the 派生 occured has continued to the present.
    – user4032
    Nov 22, 2013 at 23:41
  • @TokyoNagoya: I understand that explanation (and because the dictionary had it that way), but I initially wanted to use 派生された. Why wouldn't that form work?
    – istrasci
    Nov 23, 2013 at 0:04
  • let me also point out an analogous case for 済みません (すみません)
    – kinbiko
    Nov 23, 2013 at 0:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

  1. According to this page つまらない comes from the verb つまる(詰まる) + negative ない.
    つまる originally means 動けなくなる(be stuck), 行動や思考が行き詰まる(come to a dead end) and started to mean 納得する(be convinced), 決着する(settle) as well. Over the years つまらない came to mean 納得できない (not convincing/satisfying?) and has changed its meaning to boring, uninteresting.
  2. How about... くだらない、はしたない、たまらない、あっけない、さりげない、やりきれない、ふがいない、みっともない、もったいない... for more, see 73p 　
  3. I would say

    「つまらない」は「詰まる」から来ているんですか？

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.