Phrase in 30 Seconds
{簡単|かんたん} is the go-to Japanese word for describing tasks, problems, or processes that are simple and require little effort.
- Means: Simple, easy, or uncomplicated in nature. (10 words)
- Used in: Describing recipes, exam questions, or assembly instructions. (10 words)
- Don't confuse: With {優|やさ}しい, which means 'easy' but also 'kind'. (12 words)
आपके स्तर पर व्याख्या:
मतलब
Statement indicating something is not difficult.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The concept of 'Kantan' is often paired with 'Benri' (convenient) in marketing. Japanese consumers value products that simplify their complex lives. When asked to do something, saying 'Kantan desu' might sound like you are underestimating the work. It's safer to say 'Suguni dekimasu' (I can do it immediately). Students often use 'Kantan' to brag or express relief, but teachers might discourage it to ensure students don't become overconfident. Simplicity is a core tenet of Zen and traditional arts. While 'Kantan' is used for tasks, 'Simple' in art is often called 'Sappari' or 'Wabi-sabi'.
The 'Ni' Trick
Use '{簡単|かんたん}に' before any verb to sound like you're an expert at it!
Person Trap
Never call your date '{簡単|かんたん}な{人|ひと}'. It won't end well.
The 'Ni' Trick
Use '{簡単|かんたん}に' before any verb to sound like you're an expert at it!
Person Trap
Never call your date '{簡単|かんたん}な{人|ひと}'. It won't end well.
Summarizing
Start your sentences with '{簡単|かんたん}に{言|い}うと...' to buy time while you think of a summary.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {簡単|かんたん}.
これはとても（ ）な{料理|りょうり}です。
When modifying a noun like {料理|りょうり}, you must use the 'na' form.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask for a brief explanation?
Choose the correct sentence:
You can use '{簡単|かんたん}な' to describe the explanation (noun) or '{簡単|かんたん}に' to describe the act of explaining (verb).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You found the exam very easy.
{簡単|かんたん} is the standard word for 'easy' in an academic context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: この{本|ほん}、{読|よ}めるかな？ B: うん、（ ）だよ。
In casual speech, you can end the sentence with just the adjective.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
When to use {簡単|かんたん}
Tasks
- • Homework
- • Cooking
- • Cleaning
Communication
- • Brief intro
- • Short email
- • Simple explanation
Design
- • Simple UI
- • Basic tools
- • Minimalist room
अभ्यास बैंक
5 अभ्यासこれはとても（ ）な{料理|りょうり}です。
When modifying a noun like {料理|りょうり}, you must use the 'na' form.
Choose the correct sentence:
You can use '{簡単|かんたん}な' to describe the explanation (noun) or '{簡単|かんたん}に' to describe the act of explaining (verb).
Situation: You found the exam very easy.
{簡単|かんたん} is the standard word for 'easy' in an academic context.
A: この{本|ほん}、{読|よ}めるかな？ B: うん、（ ）だよ。
In casual speech, you can end the sentence with just the adjective.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIn daily conversation, {簡単|かんたん} is very common for 'simple.' {易|やさ}しい is often used in textbooks and for 'easy' levels.
No, it's usually rude. Use {優|やさ}しい (kind) or {話|はな}しやすい (easy to talk to).
The most common opposite is {難|むずか}しい (difficult) or {複雑|ふくざつ} (complex).
Use the phrase '{簡単|かんたん}に{言|い}うと' (Kantan ni iu to).
It is a na-adjective. You say '{簡単|かんたん}な', not '{簡単|かんたん}い'.
Yes, '{簡単|かんたん}な{説明|せつめい}' means a brief explanation.
No, but a 'simple' meal might be cheap. Use '{安|やす}い' for price.
Yes, but use it politely (desu/masu). For very formal documents, use {容易|ようい}.
{簡単|かんたん} is 'easy to do,' while {単純|たんじゅん} is 'simple in structure/logic.'
Yes, that is the casual/plain form of '{簡単|かんたん}です'.
संबंधित मुहावरे
{易|やさ}しい
synonymEasy
{楽|らく}な
similarComfortable / Easy
{容易|ようい}な
specialized formEasy / Simple
{複雑|ふくざつ}な
contrastComplex / Complicated
{単純|たんじゅん}な
similarSimple / Naive
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Cooking with a friend
Friend: このパスタ、{難|むずか}しそうだね。
You: ううん、すごく{簡単|かんたん}だよ！
Tech Support
Customer: 設定がわかりません。
Staff: このボタンを{押|お}すだけです。{簡単|かんたん}ですよ。
Job Interview
Interviewer: まずは{簡単|かんたん}に{自己紹介|じこしょうかい}をお{願|ねが}いします。
Candidate: はい、{承知|しょうち}いたしました。
Asking for Directions
You: 駅まで{遠|とお}いですか？
Local: いいえ、まっすぐ行くだけ。{簡単|かんたん}な道ですよ。
After an Exam
Classmate A: テスト、どうだった？
Classmate B: {思|おも}ったより{簡単|かんたん}だった！
Ordering Food
Clerk: ご注文はお決まりですか？
You: はい、{簡単|かんたん}なランチセットで。
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a 'CAN' (Kan) of 'TAN'gerines. It's so EASY to open and eat!
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a single bamboo slip (the radical in {簡|かん}) with just one word written on it. It's so simple, you don't need a whole book.
Rhyme
Kantan is the plan, for a simple man.
Story
A chef wanted to make a meal. He looked at a complex book, but then he found a single bamboo slip ({簡|かん}) with one ({単|たん}) ingredient. He said, 'This is {簡単|かんたん}!'
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'piece of cake' or 'easy as pie.' In Japanese, {簡単|かんたん} is the literal equivalent of 'simple' or 'easy.'
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try to describe your favorite hobby using only {簡単|かんたん} sentences for 5 minutes.
Review this word every time you find a task easy today. Say '{簡単|かんたん}だ！' out loud.
उच्चारण
The 'n' is a nasal sound, similar to the 'n' in 'on' but more closed.
Similar to 'kahn', but with a 't' sound.
औपचारिकता का स्तर
{非常|ひじょう}に{容易|ようい}な{問題|もんだい}でございます。 (Solving a math problem)
{簡単|かんたん}な{問題|もんだい}です。 (Solving a math problem)
{簡単|かんたん}な{問題|もんだい}だよ。 (Solving a math problem)
チョロい{問題|もんだい}だわ。 (Solving a math problem)
Derived from Middle Chinese 'kǎn-tān'. The characters were chosen to represent 'brevity' and 'singleness'.
रोचक तथ्य
The 'bamboo' radical in {簡|かん} is the same one found in {箸|はし} (chopsticks) and {箱|はこ} (box)!
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
The concept of 'Kantan' is often paired with 'Benri' (convenient) in marketing. Japanese consumers value products that simplify their complex lives.
“{簡単|かんたん}・{便利|べんり}なグッズ (Easy and convenient goods)”
When asked to do something, saying 'Kantan desu' might sound like you are underestimating the work. It's safer to say 'Suguni dekimasu' (I can do it immediately).
“はい、すぐにいたします。 (Yes, I will do it right away.)”
Students often use 'Kantan' to brag or express relief, but teachers might discourage it to ensure students don't become overconfident.
“この{問題|もんだい}は{簡単|かんたん}すぎます！ (This problem is too easy!)”
Simplicity is a core tenet of Zen and traditional arts. While 'Kantan' is used for tasks, 'Simple' in art is often called 'Sappari' or 'Wabi-sabi'.
“{無駄|むだ}のない{簡単|かんたん}なデザイン。 (A simple design with no waste.)”
बातचीत की शुरुआत
日本語の勉強は{簡単|かんたん}ですか？
あなたの{国|くに}で一番{簡単|かんたん}な{料理|りょうり}は何ですか？
最近、{簡単|かんたん}にできる{趣味|しゅみ}を{探|さが}しています。何かありますか？
सामान्य गलतियाँ
{簡単|かんたん}な{人|ひと}
{優|やさ}しい{人|ひと} / {話|はな}しやすい{人|ひと}
L1 Interference
このテストは{簡単|かんたん}い。
このテストは{簡単|かんたん}だ / です。
L1 Interference
{簡単|かんたん}に{本|ほん}
{簡単|かんたん}な{本|ほん}
L1 Interference
{簡単|かんたん}！ (to a superior)
{容易|ようい}でございます / {簡単|かんたん}にできました。
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Simple / Easy
English 'easy' applies to personality/lifestyle; Japanese {簡単|かんたん} usually doesn't.
Fácil
Spanish uses 'fácil' for people more often than Japanese uses {簡単|かんたん}.
Facile / Simple
French 'simple' can mean 'just' (c'est simple), which {簡単|かんたん} doesn't.
Einfach
German 'einfach' is also used as an adverb meaning 'simply/just' (einfach so).
Sahl (سهل)
Arabic 'Sahl' is often used as a name for people, whereas {簡単|かんたん} is never a name.
Jiǎndān (简单)
In Chinese, it can be used more broadly to describe a person's character as 'not simple' (unremarkable).
Gandan (간단)
Japanese {簡単|かんたん} is used for 'easy' more frequently than Korean 'gandan'.
Fácil
Portuguese uses 'simples' more for 'uncomplicated' and 'fácil' for 'not hard'.
Spotted in the Real World
“{易|やさ}しい日本語で{書|か}いた{簡単|かんたん}なニュース”
The tagline for the NHK news service for learners and children.
“そんなに{簡単|かんたん}なことじゃないよ。”
Often said during emotional discussions about relationships or careers.
“もっと{違|ちが}う{設定|せってい}で もっと{違|ちが}う{関係|かんけい}で 出会える世界線 選べたらよかった もっと{簡単|かんたん}だった”
A song about a complicated love that the singer wishes was 'easier'.
“おうちで{簡単|かんたん}！”
Promoting how easy it is to cook Chinese food at home with their sauce.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
It is pronounced the same as {易|やさ}しい (easy) but means 'kind'.
Look at the kanji or the context. If it's about a person, it's usually 'kind'.
Can mean 'appropriate' but also 'careless/random'.
Kantan means simple; Tekitou means 'just enough' or 'half-hearted'.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
In daily conversation, {簡単|かんたん} is very common for 'simple.' {易|やさ}しい is often used in textbooks and for 'easy' levels.
usage contextsNo, it's usually rude. Use {優|やさ}しい (kind) or {話|はな}しやすい (easy to talk to).
common mistakesThe most common opposite is {難|むずか}しい (difficult) or {複雑|ふくざつ} (complex).
basic understandingUse the phrase '{簡単|かんたん}に{言|い}うと' (Kantan ni iu to).
practical tipsIt is a na-adjective. You say '{簡単|かんたん}な', not '{簡単|かんたん}い'.
grammar mechanicsYes, '{簡単|かんたん}な{説明|せつめい}' means a brief explanation.
usage contextsNo, but a 'simple' meal might be cheap. Use '{安|やす}い' for price.
comparisonsYes, but use it politely (desu/masu). For very formal documents, use {容易|ようい}.
cultural usage{簡単|かんたん} is 'easy to do,' while {単純|たんじゅん} is 'simple in structure/logic.'
comparisonsYes, that is the casual/plain form of '{簡単|かんたん}です'.
grammar mechanics
