簡単
kantan[kã̠ntã̠ɴ]
In Japanese, the English slang abbreviation "ez" can be translated as 簡単 (kantan).
The term 簡単 is used to describe a task that is easy or requires little effort.
Which one should you use?
While 簡単 is a standard way to express that something is easy, you might use 楽勝 (rakushō) in casual settings to specifically convey the idea of an "easy win" or an "effortless victory". For a more formal tone, the word 容易 (yōi) is used to denote simplicity, ease or something being effortless.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word in a sentence, you can add だ (da) to the end of 簡単 to create the casual phrase 簡単だ, which means "it is easy". If you want to describe how an action is performed, use the adverbial form 簡単に (kantan ni), which means "easily".
How do you pronounce it?
kantan
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific expression 朝飯前 (asameshi-mae), which literally means 'before breakfast'. It is used to say a task is so 'ez' that it can be finished before the first meal of the day.
- In Japanese, the word 簡単 (kantan) can also be used to describe someone's character or a person's-disposition as being 'easy' or 'frivolous', which can be an insult.
- While 簡単 refers to simplicity, the related word 楽 (raku) describes a feeling of ease or comfort. Using 楽 to describe a task can sometimes imply it is not just easy, but physically or mentally relaxing.
Examples in context
- この問題は簡単です。This problem is easy.
- その手順は容易に理解できます。You can easily understand those steps.
- あのクイズは楽勝だったな！That quiz was a piece of cake!
- このゲームは手軽で面白いよ。This game is easy and fun.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a math homework assignment.
- 大翔 Hiroto今日の数学の宿題、簡単だった？Kyō no sūgaku no shukudai, kantan datta?Was today's math homework easy?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、すごく簡単だったよ。Un, sugoku kantan datta yo.Yeah, it was really easy.
- 大翔 Hirotoよかった。僕はちょっと難しかった。Yokatta. Boku wa chotto muzukashikatta.That's good. It was a bit hard for me.
- 結衣 Yui次はもっと簡単だと思うよ。Tsugi wa motto kantan da to omou yo.I think the next one will be easier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 簡単, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
