Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "簡単", "楽", "〜やすい", "楽な", "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
楽
らく (raku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
〜やすい
〜やすい (yasui)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
楽な
らくな (raku na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
手軽
てがる (tegaru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "easy" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "簡単", "楽", "〜やすい", "楽な", "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..
- 楽 (らく (raku) - Level: N4): Maps to "easy; comfortable; fun" and is used when Can describe something being 'easy'.
- 〜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.
- 楽な (らくな (raku na) - Level: N3): Maps to "easy; comfortable; relaxed" and is used when A な-adjective used to describe something that is not difficult.
- 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 "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.
Context for "〜やすい"
このコップは割れやすい。
This glass breaks easily.
Context for "楽な"
この椅子は座り心地が楽だ。
This chair is comfortable to sit in.
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.".