1.
simply, merely, just, only
Used to indicate that something is nothing more than what is stated; emphasizes limitation or simplicity.
単に運が良かっただけだ。
It was simply that I was lucky.
これは単に参考のためです。
This is merely for reference.
単に知らなかったのではない。無視したのだ。
It wasn't that he simply didn't know. He ignored it.
Often used with negation
単に emphasizes limitation, indicating that something is nothing more than what is stated. Often carries a dismissive or minimizing tone.
USAGE PATTERNS:
- 単に〜だけ: simply just ~
- 単に〜のではない: not simply/merely ~
- 単に〜というわけではない: it's not simply that ~
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 単に: simply, merely (slightly formal, emphasis on limitation)
- ただ: just, merely (more casual, broader use)
- ただ単に: simply, merely (emphatic combination of both)
- 単純に: simply (emphasis on simplicity rather than limitation)
REGISTER:
Used in both spoken and written Japanese, but slightly more common in writing and formal contexts than ただ.
Related Words
Related:
ただ (just, merely)