Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "簡単", "易しい", "容易な", "〜やすい"
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
容易な
よういな (yōi na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
〜やすい
〜やすい (yasui)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "easy" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "簡単", "易しい", "容易な", "〜やすい" 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'.
- 容易な (よういな (yōi na) - Level: N3): Maps to "easy, simple" and is used when Indicates that something is not difficult to do or understand. Often used in formal or slightly more objective contexts than '簡単な'..
- 〜やすい (〜やすい (yasui) - Level: N3): Maps to "easy to do; prone to; apt to" and is used when Indicates that an action is easy to perform or that something has a tendency to occur. It is attached to the masu-stem.
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 "容易な"
この問題は私にとって非常に容易だった。
This problem was very easy for me.
Context for "〜やすい"
このコップは割れやすい。
This glass breaks easily.
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.".