単(たん)に

単(たん)に emphasizes limitation, indicating that something is nothing more than what is stated. Often carries a dismissive or minimizing tone.

USAGE PATTERNS:

• 単(たん)に〜だけ: simply just ~
• 単(たん)に〜のではない: not simply/merely ~
• 単(たん)に〜というわけではない: it's not simply that ~

SIMILAR WORDS:

• 単(たん)に: simply, merely (slightly formal, emphasis on limitation)
• ただ: just, merely (more casual, broader use)
• ただ単(たん)に: simply, merely (emphatic combination of both)
• 単純(たんじゅん)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.