Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "簡単", "楽", "簡単な", "〜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
楽
らく (raku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
簡単な
かんたんな (kantan 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", "楽", "簡単な", "〜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..
- 楽 (らく (raku) - Level: N4): Maps to "easy; comfortable; fun" and is used when Can describe something being 'easy'.
- 簡単な (かんたんな (kantan na) - Level: N3): Maps to "easy, simple" and is used when Refers to something that is not difficult or complicated to do, understand, or solve..
- 〜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 "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 "簡単な"
この問題は私にとって簡単です。
This problem is 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.".