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B1 noun #5,000 most common 9 min read

飽き

aki Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 飽き in 30 Seconds

Explanation 飽き in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the simplest form of the word: the verb 'akiru' (to get tired of) or the basic noun 'aki' in common phrases. You will mostly use this to talk about food or toys. For example, 'Kono omocha ni akita' (I got tired of this toy). Beginners often confuse 'aki' (boredom) with 'aki' (autumn), so pay attention to the context! If someone is talking about weather or leaves, it's autumn. If they are talking about a game or a snack, it's boredom. Just remember: 'Aki' is when you want to stop doing something because you've done it too much.

At the A2 level, you can start using the common phrase 'aki ga kuru' (boredom comes/sets in). This is a very natural way to describe your feelings. You might say 'Mainichi karee de aki ga kita' (I'm tired of having curry every day). You should also learn the word 'aki-ppoi' to describe someone who gets bored easily. This is useful for basic personality descriptions. You are beginning to see that 'aki' is different from 'taikutsu' (having nothing to do). At this level, try to use 'aki' specifically for things you have done many times, like playing a game or eating a certain food.

At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 'satiety' and 'weariness.' You can use 'aki' to describe more complex situations, like a job or a long-term hobby. Phrases like 'aki no konai dezain' (a design one doesn't get tired of) are very common in advertisements and reviews. You should be able to distinguish between 'aki' and 'taikutsu' clearly. You also start to encounter the compound 'aki-aki suru' (to be totally sick of something) in casual conversations or manga. This level requires you to use the particle 'ni' correctly with 'akiru' and 'aki' phrases.

At the B2 level, you can use 'aki' in professional and social contexts. You might discuss why a marketing campaign failed (the audience got 'aki') or why a relationship is struggling. You should be comfortable with synonyms like 'manneri' (routine/rut) and how they differ from 'aki.' You understand that 'aki' can be a noun, a verb, or part of a compound. You also recognize the cultural value placed on 'aki-nashi' (not getting bored) in Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality. Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'shokusho' (being fed up with a trend).

At the C1 level, you use 'aki' to discuss philosophical or psychological concepts. You might read literature where 'aki' represents a deep existential boredom or 'ennui.' You understand the etymological connection to 'satiety' (kanji radical for food) and can use this knowledge to interpret literary metaphors. You can use formal synonyms like 'kentai' (weariness) or 'hekieki' (being daunted/fed up) with precision. You are sensitive to the subtle shift in tone when someone uses 'aki' vs. 'unzari.' You can also write critiques of art or social trends using 'aki' to describe the loss of novelty in the modern world.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'aki' and its place in the Japanese linguistic landscape. You can appreciate puns and wordplay involving its homophones (autumn, vacancy, opening). You understand the historical development of the word and its usage in classical or archaic contexts. You can use 'aki' to describe the most subtle psychological states, such as the 'satiety' that comes from spiritual over-abundance. You are capable of debating the merits of 'aki' as a catalyst for human creativity (the need to seek new things) versus its role in social instability (the inability to commit).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

飽き in 30 Seconds

Aki is the noun for boredom caused by repetition or having too much of something.
It is different from 'taikutsu', which is boredom from having nothing to do.
Commonly used in the phrase 'aki ga kuru' (to get tired of) or 'aki-ppoi' (easily bored).
It often implies a loss of interest in food, hobbies, or even people.

The Japanese word 飽き (aki) is a noun derived from the verb 飽きる (akiru), which means to lose interest in something, to become tired of a repetitive stimulus, or to reach a state of satiety. While often translated simply as 'boredom,' it carries a specific nuance of 'weariness from over-exposure.' Unlike 退屈 (taikutsu), which refers to the boredom of having nothing to do, 飽き implies that you have had enough of something that was previously engaging or satisfying.

Semantic Range: It covers everything from getting tired of a specific food dish to the psychological weariness one feels in a long-term relationship or a repetitive job. It is the 'loss of luster' in an experience.
Grammatical Function: As a noun, it frequently pairs with the verb 来る (kuru - to come) in the phrase 飽きが来る (aki ga kuru), meaning 'boredom sets in' or 'to start getting tired of.'

毎日同じものばかり食べていると、すぐに飽きが来てしまう。
(If you eat the same thing every day, you will quickly get tired of it.)

In Japanese culture, the concept of 飽き is closely linked to the appreciation of variety and seasonality. Because Japanese aesthetics often emphasize the fleeting nature of beauty (mono no aware), there is a recognition that even the most beautiful things can lead to 飽き if they never change. This is why Japanese cuisine (washoku) emphasizes seasonal ingredients; the change in flavor prevents the 'satiety' or 'weariness' that comes from constant repetition.

彼は飽きっぽい性格で、何事も長続きしない。
(He has an easily bored personality and doesn't stick with anything for long.)

Distinction from Taikutsu: While 'Taikutsu' is the pain of 'nothingness,' 'Aki' is the exhaustion of 'too much of the same.' You feel taikutsu in a waiting room; you feel aki after playing the same video game for 100 hours straight.

Furthermore, the kanji 飽 contains the radical for 'food' (食) on the left, which points to its original meaning related to being full or glutted. This etymological root explains why the word carries a weight of 'excess' rather than just 'lack of interest.' It is the feeling of being over-saturated with a particular stimulus until it no longer provides pleasure.

このデザインはシンプルなので、長く使っても飽きがこない。
(This design is simple, so you won't get tired of it even if you use it for a long time.)

Using 飽き (aki) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that describes a state of mind. It is most commonly found in fixed phrases and idiomatic expressions that describe the onset or absence of boredom. Unlike English where we say 'I am bored,' Japanese often treats 'boredom' as something that 'comes' or 'is had.'

The 'Aki ga kuru' Pattern: This is the most natural way to say 'to get tired of something.' The particle ga marks 'boredom' as the subject that arrives.
Example: 仕事に飽きが来た (Shigoto ni aki ga kita) - I've grown tired of my job.
The 'Aki ga nai' Pattern: Used to describe something timeless or consistently enjoyable.
Example: 彼の話には飽きがない (Kare no hanashi ni wa aki ga nai) - His stories never get old.

この曲は何度聴いても飽きがこない名曲だ。
(This song is a masterpiece that you never get tired of, no matter how many times you listen to it.)

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see 飽き combined with other nouns to create compound words. For instance, 飽き足らない (aki-taranai) means 'not satisfying' or 'not enough to satisfy one's appetite/interest.' This shows the word's flexibility beyond just simple boredom.

子供は飽きが早いので、新しいおもちゃが必要だ。
(Children get bored quickly, so they need new toys.)

The 'Aki-aki suru' Pattern: Repeating the word aki emphasizes the intensity of the feeling. 飽き飽きする (aki-aki suru) means to be completely fed up or sick and tired of something.

When using 飽き in professional settings, it is often used to discuss consumer behavior. A product might fail because consumers developed 飽き towards its features. In this context, it functions as a psychological term for market saturation or loss of novelty.

流行の服はすぐに飽きがきてしまう。
(Trendy clothes quickly become tiresome/go out of style in terms of interest.)

The word 飽き (aki) is ubiquitous in Japanese life because it touches upon the fundamental human experience of habituation. You will hear it in various domains, from the dining table to the boardroom, and even in romantic confessions (or breakups).

In the Kitchen and Restaurants: Chefs and home cooks are constantly worried about 飽き. You'll hear phrases like '味に飽きがこないように' (so the taste doesn't get boring). Adding a 'yakumi' (garnish) or a 'kakushi-aji' (hidden flavor) is a common strategy to prevent 飽き.
In Romantic Relationships: The dreaded 'neriki' (rut) in a relationship is often described through 飽き. One might worry that their partner has '飽きがきた' (grown tired of them). It’s a common theme in J-Dramas and J-Pop lyrics.

このレストランのメニューは豊富で、毎日通っても飽きない。
(This restaurant's menu is so extensive that I don't get tired of it even if I go every day.)

In the world of gaming and entertainment, developers talk about '飽きさせない工夫' (tricks to keep players from getting bored). This might include daily rewards, new levels, or unexpected plot twists. If a game is too repetitive, users will vent their frustration by saying 'もう飽きた' (I'm already bored of this).

長時間の会議には、さすがに飽きが差してきた。
(I've finally started to feel bored/weary of the long meeting.)

In fashion and design, '飽きのこないデザイン' (a design one doesn't tire of) is a major selling point. It usually refers to minimalist, classic, or functional styles that transcend trends. Brands like MUJI or Uniqlo often build their entire marketing identity around the concept of being 'aki-nashi' (without boredom/timeless).

In Literature: Authors use 飽き to describe the existential ennui of characters who have everything but find no joy in life. It represents a spiritual emptiness that comes from over-indulgence.

都会の生活に飽きて、田舎に移住する人が増えている。
(An increasing number of people are getting tired of city life and moving to the countryside.)

While 飽き (aki) seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble because of the 'aki' homophone and the subtle differences between Japanese words for 'boredom.'

Confusing with 'Autumn' (秋): Both are pronounced 'aki.' In speech, context usually clarifies the meaning, but in writing, you must use the correct kanji (飽き vs 秋). Interestingly, there is a Japanese pun: '秋は飽きがこない' (Autumn never gets boring).
Aki vs. Taikutsu: Mistake: Using aki when you are bored because you have nothing to do.
Correction: If you are sitting in a doctor's office with no phone, use 退屈 (taikutsu). If you have been playing the same game for 5 hours and don't want to see it anymore, use 飽き.

❌ 暇すぎて飽きがきた。
✅ 暇すぎて退屈だ。
(I'm too free, so I'm bored. - Use Taikutsu here.)

Another common error is the misuse of particles. Because 飽き is a noun, you cannot say 'Watashi wa aki desu' to mean 'I am bored.' You must use the verb form 飽きました (akimashita) or the noun phrase 飽きがきました (aki ga kimashita). English speakers often try to map the English adjective 'bored' directly onto the Japanese noun.

❌ この本を飽きた。
✅ この本に飽きた。
(I'm bored of this book. - Use 'ni'.)

Lastly, learners often forget the 'i' (い) at the end of the verb akiru when nominalizing it. The noun is 飽き (aki), not just 'aku'. Also, be careful with the word 空き (aki - vacancy), which is another homophone. Context is king!

Overusing 'Aki-aki': The phrase 飽き飽きする is very strong. It’s like saying 'I’m sick to my stomach of this.' Use it sparingly, or you might sound overly dramatic or rude.

彼の自慢話には、もう飽き飽きしている。
(I am totally sick and tired of his bragging.)

To truly master the concept of 飽き (aki), you should understand how it compares to other Japanese terms for boredom, weariness, and routine. Choosing the right word can change the tone of your sentence from 'I'm slightly bored' to 'I am undergoing a mid-life crisis.'

退屈 (Taikutsu): Focuses on the lack of stimulation. It’s the feeling of time passing slowly because there’s nothing interesting to do.
Comparison: 飽き is 'too much of the same,' while 退屈 is 'not enough of anything.'
マンネリ (Manneri): Derived from 'mannerism.' It refers to a situation that has become stuck in a predictable, uncreative routine. It's often used for TV shows, artistic styles, or long-term relationships.
倦怠 (Kentai): A more formal and heavy word. It implies a deep, listless weariness or fatigue. 倦怠期 (kentaiki) is the official term for the 'cooling-off period' in a relationship where the passion has faded.

最近、彼との関係がマンネリ化している。
(Lately, my relationship with him has become a routine/stagnant.)

When you want to emphasize that something is physically or mentally exhausting rather than just boring, you might use うんざり (unzari). This is an adverbial noun that expresses being fed up with something annoying or repetitive. It is more emotional than 飽き.

雨続きの天気にはもううんざりだ。
(I'm fed up with this continuous rainy weather.)

Another alternative is 食傷 (shokusho), which literally means 'food damage' but is used metaphorically to mean being 'sick of' something because you've seen or heard it too much. It's more sophisticated than 飽き and is often used in media criticism (e.g., 'I'm sick of superhero movies').

Word Comparison Table

飽き: Loss of interest due to repetition.
退屈: Boredom from lack of activity.
マンネリ: Loss of freshness in routine.
食傷: Being 'fed up' with a trend or repeated message.

Finally, consider 辟易 (hekieki). This is a very strong word for being 'daunted' or 'fed up' to the point of wanting to shrink away. It’s used when someone’s behavior or a situation is so tiresome or annoying that you can’t stand it anymore. Mastering these synonyms will allow you to express the exact flavor of your boredom!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'aki' (飽) contains the 'food' radical. This tells us that the Japanese concept of boredom is historically tied to the physical sensation of having eaten too much!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /aki/

US /aki/

Atamadaka (Initial high pitch): A-ki (High-Low).

Rhymes With

Maki Saki Taki Waki Kaki Yaki Haki Gaki

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ki' too long like 'kee'.
Confusing pitch with 'aki' (autumn), which is often Heiban (Flat).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji is somewhat complex but the concept is common.

Writing 4/5

The kanji for 'aki' (飽) is JLPT N2 level and tricky to write.

Speaking 2/5

The word is easy to say but pitch accent matters.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'autumn' and 'vacancy' based on context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

飽きる退屈秋同じ毎日

Learn Next

マンネリ嫌気倦怠辟易食傷

Advanced

自己充足心理的飽和常同行動美的享受一期一会

Grammar to Know

Nominalization with 'i'

飽きる (Verb) -> 飽き (Noun)

Suffix ~ppoi

飽き + っぽい = 飽きっぽい (Easily bored)

Causative Form ~saseru

飽きさせる (To make someone bored)

Negative stem + zu ni

飽きずに (Without getting bored)

Compound Verbs with ~akiru

聞き飽きる (To be tired of hearing)

Examples by Level

このおもちゃに飽きました。

I got tired of this toy.

Verb form 'akimashita' is used here.

パンは飽きた。

I'm tired of bread.

Short form 'akita' is common in casual speech.

飽きが早いですね。

You get bored quickly, don't you?

Aki used as a noun with 'hayai' (fast).

もう飽きちゃった。

I've already gotten tired of it (completely).

Casual 'chau' form indicates completion/regret.

飽きない味です。

It's a taste you don't get tired of.

Negative verb 'akinai' used as an adjective.

ゲームに飽きたの？

Are you bored of the game?

Question form with 'no?' particle.

勉強は飽きやすい。

Studying is easy to get bored of.

Verb stem + 'yasui' means 'easy to...'

すぐに飽きがくる。

Boredom comes quickly.

Standard 'aki ga kuru' phrase.

毎日同じ仕事で、飽きがきました。

I'm tired of doing the same work every day.

Noun 'aki' + 'ga kimashita'.

彼は飽きっぽい性格だ。

He has an easily bored personality.

Aki-ppoi is a common personality adjective.

このデザインは飽きがこない。

This design doesn't get old.

Aki ga konai is a set phrase for praise.

和食は飽きがこなくていいですね。

Japanese food is good because you don't get tired of it.

Using 'te' form to connect reasons.

飽きずに練習を続けました。

I continued practicing without getting bored.

Aki-zu ni means 'without getting tired of'.

子供は飽きるのが早いです。

Children are quick to get bored.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

この本は飽きずに読めます。

You can read this book without getting bored.

Potential verb 'yomeru' + 'aki-zu ni'.

味に飽きがきたら、塩を足してください。

If you get tired of the taste, please add salt.

Conditional 'tara' form.

都会の喧騒に飽きが差してきた。

I've started to feel weary of the city's hustle and bustle.

Aki ga sasu is a more literary way to say boredom 'sets in'.

この仕事にはもう飽き飽きしている。

I am already sick and tired of this job.

Aki-aki suru emphasizes strong annoyance.

飽き足らない表情で彼は去った。

He left with an unsatisfied expression.

Aki-taranai means 'not enough to satisfy'.

シンプルさは、飽きを防ぐための鍵だ。

Simplicity is the key to preventing boredom.

Aki wo fusegu means 'to prevent boredom'.

今の生活に飽きを感じています。

I am feeling a sense of boredom with my current life.

Aki wo kanjiru means 'to feel boredom'.

長続きの秘訣は、飽きない工夫をすることだ。

The secret to longevity is to find ways not to get bored.

Aki-nai kufu means 'ingenuity to avoid boredom'.

彼は何にでもすぐ飽きがくるタイプだ。

He is the type who gets tired of everything quickly.

Describing a person's 'type'.

流行り物は飽きが早いのが難点だ。

The downside of trendy things is that people get tired of them quickly.

Nanten means 'downside' or 'difficulty'.

そのCMは何度も流れすぎて、視聴者に飽きられている。

That commercial has been aired so much that viewers are tired of it.

Passive form 'akirarete iru' (being tired of by others).

飽きのこない美味しさが、この商品の売りです。

The selling point of this product is a deliciousness you never tire of.

Aki no konai + noun is a common marketing phrase.

マンネリ化を防ぐために、新しい企画を導入した。

To prevent things from becoming routine, we introduced a new plan.

Manneri-ka is a synonym for becoming stagnant/boring.

贅沢な暮らしも、いつかは飽きがくるものだ。

Even a luxurious life is something one will eventually get tired of.

Mono da indicates a general truth or tendency.

読者を飽きさせない展開が素晴らしい。

The plot development that doesn't let the reader get bored is wonderful.

Causative negative 'akisasenai' (not letting someone get bored).

都会の生活に飽きがきて、田舎暮らしを始めた。

Having grown tired of city life, I started living in the country.

Te-form used to show cause and effect.

彼の話はいつも同じで、飽きを通り越して苦痛だ。

His stories are always the same; it's beyond boredom, it's painful.

Aki wo toorikoshite means 'going beyond boredom'.

市場の飽きを予測して、新製品を開発する。

Anticipating market boredom, we develop new products.

Aki used in a business/economic context.

現代人は絶え間ない刺激にさらされ、飽きが早くなっている。

Modern people are exposed to constant stimulation, and their boredom threshold is dropping.

Discussing sociological trends.

その作品は、見るたびに新しい発見があり、飽きを知らない。

That work offers new discoveries every time you see it; it knows no boredom.

Aki wo shiranai is a poetic way to say 'never-ending interest'.

飽食の時代にあって、人々の心には飽きが蔓延している。

In an era of gluttony/abundance, boredom is spreading through people's hearts.

Houshoku (satiety) and aki (boredom) linked here.

日常の反復の中にこそ、飽きを超えた真理があるのかもしれない。

Perhaps within the repetition of daily life lies a truth that transcends boredom.

Philosophical use of 'aki wo koeta' (transcending boredom).

倦怠感と飽きは、魂の飢餓の裏返しである。

Lassitude and boredom are the flip side of the soul's hunger.

Linking 'kentaikan' and 'aki'.

作者はあえて単調な描写を重ねることで、読者に飽きを追体験させる。

The author deliberately layers monotonous descriptions to make the reader relive boredom.

Tsuitaiken (vicarious experience).

飽きがもたらす創造的破壊について論じる。

Discussing the creative destruction brought about by boredom.

Formal academic 'ronjiru' (to discuss/argue).

美学において、飽きは形式の固定化に対する拒絶反応である。

In aesthetics, boredom is a rejection reaction to the fixation of form.

High-level aesthetic theory.

万事に飽き果てた老王は、ついに王座を捨てた。

The old king, utterly weary of all things, finally abandoned his throne.

Aki-hateta means 'completely and utterly tired of'.

飽きという名の病が、文明の根底を蝕んでいる。

The disease called boredom is eroding the very foundation of civilization.

Metaphorical use of 'aki' as a disease.

一切の執着を捨て去った境地は、飽きとも無縁である。

A state of mind that has discarded all attachments is also unrelated to boredom.

Linking Buddhist concepts to the absence of 'aki'.

情報の氾濫は、知的好奇心よりもむしろ知的な飽きを誘発する。

An overflow of information induces intellectual boredom rather than intellectual curiosity.

Yuhatsu (induce/trigger).

彼は飽きを飼い慣らし、平穏な日常を愛でる術を知っている。

He knows how to tame boredom and appreciate the peaceful mundane.

Kainarasu (to tame/domesticate).

存在の耐えられない軽さは、実のところ存在の飽きに他ならない。

The unbearable lightness of being is, in truth, nothing other than the boredom of being.

Referencing Kundera's philosophy.

飽きを覚える暇もないほど、人生は短く、かつ残酷だ。

Life is so short and cruel that there is no time even to experience boredom.

Aki wo oboeru (to experience/feel boredom).

永劫回帰の思想は、飽きに対する究極の挑戦状である。

The idea of eternal recurrence is the ultimate challenge to boredom.

Nietzschean philosophy context.

Common Collocations

飽きが来る

飽きがこない

飽きっぽい性格

飽き飽きする

飽き足らない

飽きを誘う

飽きが早い

飽きずに

飽きを覚える

飽きが差す

Common Phrases

飽きがくる

— To grow tired of something after repeated exposure.

毎日同じメニューだと飽きがくる。

飽きがこない

— To never get tired of something; timeless enjoyment.

この曲は何度聞いても飽きがこない。

飽きっぽい

— To be fickle or easily bored as a character trait.

飽きっぽい人は趣味がコロコロ変わる。

飽き飽きする

— To be completely fed up or sick of a situation.

彼の長い話には飽き飽きする。

飽き足らない

— Not being satisfied; wanting more or something better.

平凡な生活では飽き足らない。

飽きを知らない

— Never getting tired; having endless energy or interest.

子供は遊びに関しては飽きを知らない。

飽きが早い

— Losing interest very quickly.

最近の若者は流行に飽きが早いと言われる。

飽きを誘う

— To cause someone to become bored.

この映画の演出は飽きを誘う。

飽きずに

— Without getting tired; diligently.

彼は飽きずにパズルを解いている。

飽きが差す

— Boredom beginning to creep in.

長い行列に飽きが差してきた。

Often Confused With

飽き vs 秋 (aki)

Means 'Autumn'. Written with different kanji. Context usually clarifies.

飽き vs 空き (aki)

Means 'Vacancy' or 'Empty space'. Common in hotel or parking contexts.

飽き vs 開き (aki)

Means 'Opening' or 'Gap'. Often used for physical distances or opening times.

Idioms & Expressions

"飽きがくる"

— To reach a point where one has had enough of something.

贅沢も三日続けば飽きがくる。

Common

"飽き足らない"

— To feel that something is insufficient to satisfy one's desire.

成功しても、彼はまだ飽き足らない様子だ。

Literary

"飽き飽きする"

— To be utterly disgusted or weary of a situation.

残業続きの毎日に飽き飽きしている。

Casual

"飽きを知らない"

— To possess a seemingly infinite capacity for an activity.

彼の探究心は飽きを知らない。

Formal

"飽きが早い"

— To have a very short attention span for specific interests.

彼女は飽きが早いので、高価な道具は買わない方がいい。

Neutral

"飽きのこない"

— Something that maintains its appeal over a long period.

飽きのこないシンプルな家具を選ぶ。

Neutral

"飽きを誘う"

— To be so monotonous that it induces boredom.

変化のない景色が飽きを誘う。

Literary

"飽きが差す"

— The moment boredom begins to affect one's mood or actions.

今の生活にふと飽きが差すことがある。

Literary

"飽き果てる"

— To be completely and utterly exhausted of interest.

浮世の義理に飽き果てた。

Archaic/Literary

"飽きずたゆまず"

— Without tiring and without slackening; steadily.

飽きずたゆまず努力を続ける。

Formal

Easily Confused

飽き vs 退屈 (taikutsu)

Both translate to 'boredom'.

Taikutsu is having nothing to do; Aki is having too much of one thing.

暇で退屈だ vs. この曲は飽きた。

飽き vs 嫌気 (iyake)

Both involve losing interest.

Iyake is stronger, often involving disgust or a desire to quit entirely.

仕事に嫌気がさした。

飽き vs マンネリ

Both refer to repetitive situations.

Manneri specifically refers to a loss of freshness in a creative or social routine.

デートがマンネリ化している。

飽き vs 食傷 (shokusho)

Both mean being fed up.

Shokusho is more formal and often used for media or over-exposed trends.

不倫のニュースに食傷ぎみだ。

飽き vs 辟易 (hekieki)

Both mean being tired of something.

Hekieki implies being overwhelmed or daunted by something annoying.

彼の愚痴には辟易する。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] に飽きました。

このゲームに飽きました。

[Noun] は飽きが早い。

流行の服は飽きが早い。

[Noun] に飽きがくる。

同じ味に飽きがくる。

飽きずに [Verb]。

飽きずに勉強する。

飽きのこない [Noun]。

飽きのこないデザイン。

[Noun] に飽き飽きする。

彼の自慢話に飽き飽きする。

飽きを知らない [Noun]。

飽きを知らない好奇心。

飽きが差す。

平穏な日々に飽きが差す。

Word Family

Nouns

飽き (Boredom)

飽き性 (Easily bored nature)

飽食 (Satiety/Gluttony)

Verbs

飽きる (To get tired of)

飽かす (To satisfy/make someone tired of)

飽き足る (To be satisfied)

Adjectives

飽きっぽい (Easily bored)

飽き足らない (Unsatisfied)

退屈 (Boredom)

嫌気 (Disgust)

倦怠 (Weariness)

満足 (Satisfaction)

変化 (Change)

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily life, especially regarding food, hobbies, and social trends.

Common Mistakes

Using 'aki' for 'nothing to do'. → 退屈 (taikutsu)
Aki requires a stimulus that you have had too much of. Taikutsu is the lack of stimulus.
Using the 'wo' particle. → 〜に飽きる
The object of boredom is a target/state, so 'ni' is the correct particle.
Confusing 'aki' (boredom) with 'aki' (autumn) in writing. → 飽き (boredom) vs 秋 (autumn)
The kanji are completely different. Use the one with the 'food' radical for boredom.
Saying 'Watashi wa aki desu'. → 飽きました / 飽きがきました
Aki is a noun, not an adjective. You must use it in a verb phrase or as 'akippoi' (adjective for personality).
Using 'aki-aki' for minor boredom. → 飽きた / 飽きがきた
Aki-aki is very strong, like 'sick and tired'. Using it for a small thing sounds over-dramatic.

Tips

Particle Usage

Always use the particle 'ni' with the thing you are bored of. 'Game ni akita' is correct. 'Game wo akita' is a common mistake for English speakers.

Timeless Praise

Use 'aki no konai' to describe classic items like a white shirt, a simple watch, or a traditional recipe. It's a very 'Japanese' way to give a compliment.

Seasonality

The Japanese love of seasons is partly to prevent 'aki'. By changing the food and decorations every few months, life stays fresh and 'aki' is kept at bay.

Strong Emotions

If you are really frustrated, use 'aki-aki suru'. It sounds much stronger than just 'akita'. Use it when you are fed up with a situation.

Pitch Accent

For 'boredom', start high and drop low (A-ki). If you say it flat, people might think you are talking about 'autumn' depending on the sentence.

Kanji Mastery

The kanji 飽 contains 'food' on the left and 'wrap/envelop' on the right. Imagine being 'wrapped in food'—you'd get tired of it quickly!

Relationship Advice

Avoid saying 'akita' to your partner. Use 'manneri' or 'kentaiki' if you need to discuss the relationship feeling stagnant. It sounds less like you're calling them a boring object.

Marketing Speak

In marketing, 'shouhisha no aki' (consumer boredom) is a key metric. Use this term when discussing why a product's sales are declining.

Compound Verbs

Learn verbs like 'tabe-akiru' (tired of eating) or 'mi-akiru' (tired of looking). They are very common and useful.

Context Clues

When you hear 'aki', look for 'ga kuru' or 'ga konai'. These almost always point to the 'boredom' meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Aki' as 'A Key'. If you use the same key for the same door every single day for 50 years, you might get 'Aki' (bored) of that key!

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting in front of 100 identical bowls of ramen. They look exhausted and full. That feeling is 'Aki'.

Word Web

飽きる飽きっぽい飽きがくる飽きがこない飽き飽き飽食退屈嫌気

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are 'aki no konai' (timeless) and three things you have 'aki ga kita' (gotten tired of).

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'akiru'. The kanji '飽' represents a person and 'food' (食), indicating the original sense of being full or stuffed with food.

Original meaning: To be physically full or satiated with food.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'aki' regarding people. Saying 'Kimi ni akita' (I'm tired of you) is extremely harsh and hurtful.

English speakers often use 'bored' for everything. Japanese speakers split this into 'taikutsu' (nothing to do) and 'aki' (had enough).

The concept of 'Manneri' in J-Pop. The minimalist philosophy of MUJI (Aki-nai). Japanese food culture's focus on 'Shun' (Seasonality).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Food and Dining

味に飽きがくる
飽きのこない味
飽食の時代
食べ飽きる

Hobbies and Entertainment

ゲームに飽きる
飽きっぽい性格
飽きさせない工夫
すぐに飽きがくる

Work and Routine

仕事に飽きが差す
マンネリ化する
飽き飽きする
単調で飽きる

Relationships

相手に飽きる
倦怠期
飽きがくる
飽きっぽい人

Design and Fashion

飽きのこないデザイン
流行に飽きる
シンプルで飽きない
飽きが早い

Conversation Starters

"最近、飽きずに続けている趣味はありますか？ (Is there a hobby you've been doing lately without getting bored?)"

"どんな食べ物なら、毎日食べても飽きがこないと思いますか？ (What food do you think you could eat every day without getting tired of?)"

"自分は飽きっぽい性格だと思いますか？ (Do you think you have an easily bored personality?)"

"仕事で飽きを感じた時、どうやってリフレッシュしますか？ (When you feel bored at work, how do you refresh yourself?)"

"「飽きのこないデザイン」と聞いて、何を思い浮かべますか？ (What comes to mind when you hear 'a design one doesn't get tired of'?)"

"子供の頃、一番すぐに飽きてしまったおもちゃは何ですか？ (What was the toy you got bored of the fastest when you were a child?)"

Journal Prompts

あなたが「飽きがこない」と感じるもの（本、音楽、場所など）について、その理由を詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about something you feel you never get tired of and why.)

最近、何かに対して「飽き」を感じたことはありますか？それはなぜだと思いますか？ (Have you felt 'aki' toward something recently? Why do you think that is?)

「飽きっぽい性格」を直すためには、どのような工夫が必要だと思いますか？ (What kind of strategies do you think are necessary to fix an 'easily bored personality'?)

日本文化における「飽き」を防ぐための知恵（季節感など）について、自分の意見を書きましょう。 (Write your opinion on the wisdom in Japanese culture for preventing boredom, such as seasonality.)

もし人生に全く「飽き」がなかったら、世界はどう変わると思いますか？ (If there were no 'aki' in life at all, how do you think the world would change?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it is very rude. Saying someone 'got tired of their partner' (koibito ni akita) implies the partner is like a disposable toy. Use 'kentaiki' (cooling-off period) for a more mature description of relationship lulls.

'Akiru' is the verb 'to get tired of'. 'Aki ga kuru' is a noun-based phrase meaning 'boredom sets in'. They are largely interchangeable, but 'aki ga kuru' sounds slightly more objective or descriptive of the state.

Usually, yes, but its absence is a strong positive. 'Aki no konai' (not getting tired of) is one of the highest compliments you can give to food, art, or a person's company.

In that case, use 'Taikutsu' (退屈). 'Aki' would imply you've been in the waiting room so long that the room itself has become tiresome, which is possible but less common than just being bored from inactivity.

It is a reduplication of 'aki' that functions as an adverb or noun. It means to be completely 'sick and tired' of something. It carries a heavy nuance of frustration.

It's generally a negative personality trait, implying the person lacks persistence or is fickle. However, in casual talk among friends, it can be used lightheartedly.

It's used to describe 'consumer fatigue' (shouhisha no aki). Businesses try to innovate to prevent 'aki' from reducing their sales.

The radical is 'shoku' (食), which means food. This reflects the word's origins in being physically full.

While 'aki' is the psychological feeling, 'manpukukan' (feeling of a full stomach) is the more common medical/physical term for satiety.

Yes, 'aki' and 'saki' (future/ahead) rhyme perfectly in Japanese.