单调 dāndiào monotonous
How to remember 单调: 单 single + 调 tune = monotonous.
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How it is used
- Monotonous, dull for lack of variety - 生活单调 (shēnghuó dāndiào) a monotonous life, 色彩单调 (sècǎi dāndiào) drab, unvaried colors.
- The 调 here reads diào; the word is about tedious sameness, not sound alone.
- Negative tone; opposite of 丰富 (fēngfù, rich/varied) or 多样 (duōyàng, diverse) - 内容丰富 (nèiróng fēngfù) rich in content.