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
簡単な
かんたんな (kantan na)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "easy" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 楽 and 簡単な.
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, 簡単な (かんたんな (kantan na)) maps to "easy, simple" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to something that is not difficult or complicated to do, understand, or solve.. 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 "簡単な"
この問題は私にとって簡単です。
This problem is 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.". "簡単な" represents "easy, simple".