容易(ようい)

ようい
na-adjective
easy, simple, effortless
formalwrittendescriptive
See also: 用意(ようい) (preparation)
1. easy, simple, effortless
Something that can be done without much difficulty. A formal, written-style word.
容易(ようい)なことではない。
It is no easy matter.
問題(もんだい)の解決(かいけつ)は容易(ようい)ではなかった。
Solving the problem was not easy.
一度(いちど)失(うしな)った信頼(しんらい)を取(と)り戻(もど)すのは容易(ようい)ではない。
Regaining trust once lost is not easy.

容易(ようい) is a na-adjective meaning "easy" in a formal register.

Forms

  • Modifier: 容易(ようい)な + noun
  • Adverbial: 容易(ようい)に (easily)
  • Negative: 容易(ようい)ではない

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 容易(ようい) vs. 簡単(かんたん) vs. 易(やさ)しい: All mean "easy," but 容易(ようい) is the most formal and appears mainly in written language. 簡単(かんたん) is the neutral, everyday word. 易(やさ)しい is versatile but also means "gentle" or "kind."

Usage

容易(ようい) frequently appears in negative constructions (容易(ようい)ではない, 容易(ようい)に〜ない). The adverbial form 容易(ようい)に is common in writing. Note the homophone 用意(ようい) (preparation), which is a different word.

Related Words

Synonym: 簡単(かんたん) (easy (everyday))
Antonym: 困難(こんなん) (difficult)
Compare: たやすい (easy, simple, effortless)
Compare: たやすく (easily)
general
Added 2026.2.21 1:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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