facile
/ˈfa.t͡ʃi.le/
The English word 'easy' can be translated into Italian as facile.
facile is used to describe something that requires little skill or effort. However, be aware that just like in English, it can also carry a negative connotation of being 'superficial' or 'shallow' when used in a critical context.
Meaning: requiring little skill or effort (adj)
Which one should you use?
While facile refers to the level of effort required, semplice is another common way to express the idea of 'easy' in Italian. If you wish to emphasize that something is extremely easy, you can use the intensified form semplicissimo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective facile is invariable in gender, meaning the singular form remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make the word plural, use facili.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈfa.tʃi.le/.
Did you know?
- The Italian word facile shares its roots with the English word 'factory', as both stem from the Latin 'facere', meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
- In certain Italian contexts, describing a task as una passeggiata (a walk) is a common way to say it is extremely easy, similar to the English expression 'a breeze'.
- The word facile is a cognate of the English word 'facile', but the Italian version is used far more broadly for everyday tasks.
Examples in context
- Per te è facile.It's easy for you.The sentence using facile shows how to express that something is easy for a specific person.Tatoeba #1537607 by Guybrush88, translation #1537608 by CM
- È facile da dire!That's easy to say!The sentence using facile is useful for saying that something is easy to say.Tatoeba #764455 by Pharamp, translation #5069939 by jhomel
- È facile da dire.That's easy to say.Tatoeba #8663913 by Guybrush88, translation #3737209 by CK
- Studiare la grammatica italiana è semplice.Studying Italian grammar is easy.
- Cucinare questa ricetta è facile.Cooking this recipe is easy.
- Risolvere equazioni matematiche è elementare per lei.Solving mathematical equations is easy for her.
- Andare in bicicletta è semplicissimo!Riding a bike is super easy!
- Risolvere questo problema è un gioco da ragazzi.Fixing this issue is a piece of cake.
- 852 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a math exam.
- MartinaL'esame di matematica era molto facile.The math exam was very easy.
- FrancescoDavvero? Per me è stato difficile.Really? For me it was difficult.
- MartinaForse non hai studiato abbastanza.Maybe you didn't study enough.
- FrancescoForse hai ragione tu.Maybe you are right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “easy” translations and entries facile, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries facile, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
