Japanese dictionary
How to say "easy" in Japanese
簡単かんたん · kantan
"Easy" in Japanese is 簡単 (kantan). For a question or book that is not difficult, 易しい (yasashii) is also common.
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Ways to say "easy" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 簡単かんたん · kantan | Easy; simple. |
| 易しいやさしい · yasashii | Easy (not difficult). Also written やさしい. |
| 楽らく · raku | Easy; comfortable; not hard work. |
How to use it
楽 (raku) means easy in the sense of "not much work" or "comfortable": この仕事は楽です.
Careful: 優しい, also read yasashii, means kind.
Example sentences
- この問題は簡単です。Kono mondai wa kantan desu.This question is easy.
- 使い方は簡単ですよ。Tsukaikata wa kantan desu yo.It's easy to use.
- やさしい日本語で説明してください。Yasashii Nihongo de setsumei shite kudasai.Please explain in easy Japanese.
- 新しいシステムで仕事が楽になりました。Atarashii shisutemu de shigoto ga raku ni narimashita.The new system made work easier.
- 簡単な自己紹介をお願いします。Kantan na jiko shōkai o onegai shimasu.Please give a brief self-introduction.
- 日本語は簡単ではありません。Nihongo wa kantan de wa arimasen.Japanese is not easy.
Questions
What is やさしい日本語?
やさしい日本語 (yasashii Nihongo) is "easy Japanese," a simplified style used by governments and media to communicate with foreign residents.
What is the difference between 簡単 and 楽?
簡単 (kantan) means simple or not difficult. 楽 (raku) means easy in the sense of requiring little effort, or comfortable.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.