banale

banal

adjective bah-NAH-leh Rare

Origin: From French banal (commonplace), originally referring to something compulsory for all serfs.

Also means

trivial

Usage Note

Banale is invariable in gender (same form for masculine and feminine) but takes -i in the plural: banali. It carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting something is unoriginal or too ordinary (un'idea banale — a trite idea). The noun form is la banalità. Note that this is a direct borrowing from French and the meaning is the same in English.

Examples

"Non voglio fare un regalo banale per il suo compleanno."

Natural Translation

I don't want to give a banal gift for her birthday.

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