Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "簡単", "易しい", "容易", "手軽"
All represent the core concept "easy", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
簡単
かんたん (kantan)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
易しい
やさしい (yasashii)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
容易
ようい (yōi)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
手軽
てがる (tegaru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "easy" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "簡単", "易しい", "容易", "手軽" based on context.
- 簡単 (かんたん (kantan) - Level: N5): Maps to "easy, simple" and is used when An な-adjective. Used to describe something that is not difficult or complicated to do or understand..
- 易しい (やさしい (yasashii) - Level: N5): Maps to "easy, simple" and is used when An i-adjective. In the context of difficulty, it means 'simple' or 'not difficult.' Note that '優しい'.
- 容易 (ようい (yōi) - Level: N3): Maps to "easy, simple, light (na-adjective)" and is used when 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。.
- 手軽 (てがる (tegaru) - Level: N2): Maps to "easy; simple; light; casual; handy" and is used when Often used as an な-adjective.
Context for "簡単"
この漢字は簡単なので、すぐに書けます。
This kanji is easy, so I can write it quickly.
Context for "易しい"
この問題はとても易しいです。
This problem is very easy.
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.
Context for "手軽"
手軽に作れるランチレシピを探している。
I'm looking for an easy-to-make lunch recipe.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この漢字は ＿＿＿ なので、すぐに書けます。" (Meaning: "This kanji is easy, so I can write it quickly.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "簡単" is correct here because it represents "easy, simple" in the context: "This kanji is easy, so I can write it quickly.".