簡単(かんたん)

かんたん
na-adjective
easy, simple
descriptive
1. easy, simple
Describes something that is not difficult to do or understand. The opposite of 難(むずか)しい (difficult).
この問題(もんだい)は簡単(かんたん)です。
This problem is easy.
簡単(かんたん)な日本語(にほんご)で話(はな)してください。
Please speak in simple Japanese.
この漢字(かんじ)は簡単(かんたん)に書(か)けます。
This kanji can be written easily.
子(こ)どもでも簡単(かんたん)にできる仕事(しごと)です。
This is work that even children can do easily.
思(おも)ったより簡単(かんたん)だった。
It was easier than I thought.
2. brief, concise
Can also describe something that is simple and not elaborate.
簡単(かんたん)に言(い)いますね。
I'll say it briefly.
Using 簡単に as an adverb
簡単(かんたん)な朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べました。
I had a simple breakfast.
今日(きょう)の話(はなし)は簡単(かんたん)でした。十(じゅっ)分(ぷん)で終(お)わりました。
Today's talk was brief. It ended in ten minutes.
簡単(かんたん)に説明(せつめい)してください。
Please explain briefly.
簡単(かんたん)な挨拶(あいさつ)をしてから始(はじ)めましょう。
Let's start after a brief greeting.

Forms

  • Na-adjective: 簡単(かんたん)な + noun
  • Adverb: 簡単(かんたん)に (easily, simply, briefly)

Common expressions

Similar words

Watch out

In some contexts, 簡単(かんたん)に can imply 'carelessly' or 'too easily': 簡単(かんたん)に諦(あきら)めるな (Don't give up so easily).

Related Words

Antonym: 難(むずか)しい (difficult)
Antonym: 複雑(ふくざつ) (complicated)
Compare: 簡易(かんい) (simplified, basic version (formal))
Compare: 安易(あんい) (easy (negative, taking shortcuts))
Compare: ちょろい (easy, simple, a piece of cake)
Compare: 楽(らく)ちん (easy, effortless, comfortable)
Compare: 難(なん)なく (without difficulty)
Compare: 平易(へいい) (plain)
Compare: 楽々(らくらく) (easily)
Compare: たやすく (easily)
Compare: 楽(らく)に (easily)
Compare: 簡素(かんそ) (simple, plain, austere)
Compare: 易(やさ)しい (easy, of problems, questions…)
Compare: 手短(てみじか) (brief)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:06 · Revised 2026.10.10 23:08
00500/00713_kantan