B2 verb #3,000 よく出る 2分で読める

neutral

A neutral person does not take sides in an argument.

Explanation at your level:

You are neutral if you do not choose side A or side B. It is like being in the middle. Think of a gray color; it is not bright red or bright blue. It is just in the middle.

When you are neutral, you are fair. You do not help your friend win an argument if they are wrong. Scientists use this word for water, which is not acidic and not alkaline.

In international politics, a neutral country stays out of wars. In daily life, you might keep a neutral expression on your face so people don't know what you are thinking. It is a very useful word for staying objective.

Using neutral language is important in professional writing. It helps you avoid bias. Designers also love neutral tones because they create a calm, balanced atmosphere in a room. It is all about moderation.

The concept of neutrality is essential in legal and diplomatic contexts. To remain neutral requires a conscious effort to detach from personal interests. In chemistry, a neutral solution has a pH of 7, representing perfect balance between protons and hydroxide ions.

Etymologically, the term reflects a philosophical stance of 'non-engagement.' Whether discussing neutrality in quantum mechanics, where particles lack a net charge, or in literary criticism, where a narrator is intentionally detached, the word implies a sophisticated state of equilibrium that transcends binary opposition.

30秒でわかる単語

  • Means not picking sides.
  • Used for colors and chemistry.
  • Pronounced NOO-trul.
  • Essential for being fair.

When we call something neutral, we are usually talking about a state of balance or non-alignment. Think of it as the middle ground where no strong force pulls to the left or the right.

In social situations, being neutral means you aren't picking a side in a fight. In design, neutral colors like beige or gray are used because they don't clash with anything else. It is a very versatile word!

The word neutral comes from the Latin word neuter, which literally means 'neither the one nor the other.' It entered English in the 16th century.

Historically, it was used to describe countries that stayed out of wars. Over time, the meaning expanded to include everything from chemistry (neutralizing acids) to interior design (neutral color palettes).

You will often hear neutral used in phrases like 'neutral ground' or 'neutral tone.' It is a common word in news, politics, and science.

In casual conversation, you might say, 'I'm staying neutral on this topic,' meaning you don't have a strong opinion. In formal settings, it describes a professional, objective stance.

1. Neutral gear: Refers to a car transmission setting where the engine is disconnected from the wheels. 2. Neutral ground: A place where two opposing parties can meet safely. 3. Strike a neutral tone: To speak without showing bias. 4. Keep it neutral: To maintain an unbiased perspective. 5. Shift into neutral: To stop making progress or to relax.

Neutral is an adjective. It is pronounced NOO-trul in the US and NYOO-trul in the UK. It does not have a plural form because it describes a quality.

It is often used with the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'They are neutral'). It rhymes with 'central' and 'ventral.'

Fun Fact

It was used in the 16th century to describe countries that didn't join wars.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈnjuːtrəl/

Starts with a 'nyoo' sound.

US /ˈnuːtrəl/

Starts with a 'noo' sound.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing it 'new-tral' instead of 'noo-tral'
  • Stressing the second syllable
  • Dropping the 'l' sound

Rhymes With

central ventral spectral dentral gentral

Difficulty Rating

読解 2/5

Easy to understand

Writing 2/5

Easy to use

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce

リスニング 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

fair middle color

Learn Next

impartial objective neutralize

上級

neutrality non-partisan

Grammar to Know

Adjective placement

A neutral color

State of being verbs

He is neutral

Articles with adjectives

A neutral stance

Examples by Level

1

The color is neutral.

The color is in the middle.

Simple adjective usage.

2

I am neutral.

I have no side.

State of being.

3

It is a neutral day.

Nothing special.

Descriptive.

4

Stay neutral.

Don't pick sides.

Imperative.

5

They are neutral.

They aren't fighting.

Plural subject.

6

Pick a neutral color.

Choose a soft color.

Adjective modifying noun.

7

He is neutral.

He is impartial.

Subject pronoun.

8

Keep it neutral.

Stay calm.

Object pronoun.

1

The wall is a neutral gray.

2

She gave a neutral answer.

3

They met on neutral ground.

4

Water is a neutral liquid.

5

I want to stay neutral.

6

The judge remained neutral.

7

Choose a neutral outfit.

8

His expression was neutral.

1

The country decided to remain neutral during the conflict.

2

We should choose a neutral location for our meeting.

3

The design features a neutral color palette.

4

He tried to keep his voice neutral.

5

The chemical reaction resulted in a neutral solution.

6

She took a neutral stance on the issue.

7

The mediator must be neutral.

8

Neutral colors make the room look bigger.

1

The journalist maintained a neutral perspective throughout the report.

2

Neutral territory is essential for peace negotiations.

3

The company adopted a neutral policy regarding the dispute.

4

The paint color is a soft, neutral beige.

5

It is difficult to remain entirely neutral in such a heated debate.

6

The car was stuck in neutral gear.

7

She offered a neutral critique of the project.

8

The pH level is perfectly neutral.

1

The diplomat’s neutral demeanor helped de-escalate the situation.

2

The study provides a neutral analysis of the data.

3

The architect chose a neutral aesthetic to emphasize the structure.

4

His response was notably neutral, revealing nothing of his true feelings.

5

The scientific consensus requires a neutral approach to experimentation.

6

The committee’s findings were presented in a neutral tone.

7

Neutral buoyancy is a key concept in scuba diving.

8

The mediator acted as a neutral party to facilitate the agreement.

1

The author’s narrative voice is intentionally neutral, leaving the interpretation to the reader.

2

The philosophical inquiry sought to establish a neutral ground for ethics.

3

The chemical agent acts as a neutralizer in the process.

4

The court demanded a neutral arbiter to resolve the complex litigation.

5

His neutral stance was perceived as a lack of moral courage by some.

6

The artwork uses neutral tones to evoke a sense of timelessness.

7

The geopolitical strategy relies on maintaining a neutral status.

8

The neutral charge of the particle allowed it to pass through the field.

類義語

impartial unbiased objective disinterested nonpartisan evenhanded

反対語

biased partial prejudiced

よく使う組み合わせ

neutral ground
neutral color
remain neutral
neutral tone
neutral territory
neutral stance
neutral solution
neutral party
stay neutral
neutral gear

Idioms & Expressions

"in neutral"

not moving or progressing

My career feels like it's in neutral.

casual

"neutral ground"

a place where sides can meet

We met on neutral ground.

neutral

"strike a neutral tone"

to be balanced in speech

He tried to strike a neutral tone.

formal

"remain neutral"

to not take sides

I will remain neutral.

neutral

"shift into neutral"

to stop making an effort

I shifted into neutral after the exam.

casual

Easily Confused

neutral vs Nude

Both are colors

Nude is skin-tone, neutral is a category

Nude shoes vs neutral walls.

neutral vs Natural

Similar sound

Natural means from nature

Natural wood vs neutral paint.

neutral vs Central

Rhyme

Central means in the middle

Central park vs neutral tone.

neutral vs Negative

Both start with N

Negative is bad

Negative feedback vs neutral feedback.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + is + neutral

The judge is neutral.

B1

Keep + object + neutral

Keep your tone neutral.

A2

Stay + neutral

I will stay neutral.

A2

Choose + a + neutral + noun

Choose a neutral color.

B2

Remain + neutral

They remain neutral.

語族

Nouns

neutrality the state of being neutral

Verbs

neutralize to make something neutral

Adjectives

neutral impartial or balanced

関連

neuter same root

How to Use It

frequency

7

Formality Scale

impartial (formal) neutral (neutral) middle-ground (casual) on the fence (slang)

よくある間違い

using 'neutral' for 'nude' nude/beige
Neutral is a category, not a specific color.
confusing 'neutral' with 'negative' neutral
Neutral is zero, negative is less than zero.
saying 'neutralize' when you mean 'neutral' neutral
Neutralize is the action, neutral is the state.
using it as a noun neutrality
Neutral is an adjective.
thinking neutral means 'bad' neutral
Neutral just means balanced.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a scale that is perfectly flat.

💡

Professionalism

Use 'neutral' to sound objective.

🌍

Diplomacy

Neutral countries are respected.

💡

Adjective usage

It describes nouns.

💡

US vs UK

Watch the 'oo' sound.

💡

Noun confusion

Use neutrality for the noun.

💡

Chemistry

pH 7 is the magic number.

💡

Flashcards

Pair with 'impartial'.

💡

Design

Neutral colors are safe.

💡

No plural

Never say 'neutrals'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

NEITHER side is TRUE to me.

Visual Association

A gray scale showing a balance.

Word Web

balance impartiality gray middle

チャレンジ

Describe your room using only neutral colors.

語源

Latin

Original meaning: neither one nor the other

文化的な背景

None, generally a safe word.

Often used in politics and design.

Neutral Milk Hotel (band) Neutral Zone (Star Trek)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Politics

  • remain neutral
  • neutral territory
  • neutral party

Design

  • neutral palette
  • neutral tones
  • neutral colors

Chemistry

  • neutral solution
  • neutral pH
  • neutralize acid

Conflict

  • stay neutral
  • neutral ground
  • unbiased opinion

Conversation Starters

"Do you think it's better to be neutral or have an opinion?"

"What is your favorite neutral color for a room?"

"Can a reporter ever be truly neutral?"

"Why do some countries choose to remain neutral?"

"How do you stay neutral in an argument?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you had to stay neutral.

Describe a room using only neutral colors.

Explain why neutrality is important in a court of law.

How would you explain the concept of neutral to a child?

よくある質問

8 問

No, it is neutral!

Yes, it means they are fair.

Gray, beige, white, black.

NOO-trul.

No, it is an adjective.

Neutrality.

Yes, by not taking sides.

It helps keep things fair.

自分をテスト

fill blank A1

I want to stay ___.

正解! おしい! 正解: neutral

Neutral means not picking sides.

multiple choice A2

What is a neutral color?

正解! おしい! 正解: Gray

Gray is a neutral color.

true false B1

Neutral means to pick a side.

正解! おしい! 正解: 間違い

It means the opposite.

match pairs B1

Word

意味

All matched!

They are synonyms.

sentence order B2

下の単語をタップして文を組み立てよう
正解! おしい! 正解:

We must stay neutral.

スコア: /5

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