Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Easy" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "easy", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
楽
らく (raku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
容易
ようい (yōi)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "easy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 楽 and 容易.
In Japanese, 楽 (らく (raku)) is typically associated with "easy; comfortable; fun" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Can describe something being 'easy'.
On the other hand, 容易 (ようい (yōi)) maps to "easy, simple, light (na-adjective)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 物事を行うのが簡単であること、または困難なく進められる状態を表します。「簡単」や「やさしい」よりもやや硬い表現で、書き言葉やフォーマルな文脈で使われることが多いです。. A literal translation of "easy" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "楽"
この仕事はあまり大変じゃないから楽です。
This job isn't very hard, so it's easy.
Bilingual Context for "容易"
この問題は私にとって非常に容易です。
This problem is very easy for me.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この仕事はあまり大変じゃないから ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "This job isn't very hard, so it's easy.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "楽" fits here because it means "easy; comfortable; fun" in the context of: "This job isn't very hard, so it's easy.". "容易" represents "easy, simple, light (na-adjective)".