朝飯前
asameshimai
The English phrase 'piece of cake' can be translated into Japanese as 朝飯前 (asameshimai).
The phrase is used to describe a task that is easy or simple to accomplish. In a more formal context, you might use the term 容易 to describe tasks that are a breeze.
Meaning: simple or easy job (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The expression 朝飯前 literally means 'before breakfast'.
Which one should you use?
While 朝飯前 is a common way to express that something is easy, the term 楽勝 is an informal alternative that literally means 'easy victory'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the phrase is often followed by the copula だ (da) to state that a task is easy, resulting in 朝飯前だ.
How do you pronounce it?
asameshimai
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, modesty is highly valued, so using 朝飯前 to describe your own skill can sometimes come across as overly confident or cocky.
- The word 朝飯 is a slightly older or more rustic term for breakfast than the standard 朝ごはん.
- While 朝飯前 describes a task, the term 楽勝 is frequently used in gaming and sports to describe an effortless win.
Examples in context
- 朝飯前だよ。It's a piece of cake.Tatoeba #12593089 by small_snow, translation #21259 by Eldad
- そんなの朝飯前だよ。Doing that will be a piece of cake.Tatoeba #204216 by tommy_san, translation #7733061 by CK
- この問題は容易ですThis problem is easy
- この課題は楽勝だよThis task is a piece of cake
- この仕事は朝飯前だよThis job is a piece of cake
- この作業は朝飯前です。Kono sagyō wa asameshimae desu.This task is a piece of cake.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about a new task at work.
- 美咲 Misakiこの資料の作成、大変そうですね。Kono shiryō no sakusei, taihen sō desu ne.Creating this document looks difficult, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kenta僕には朝飯前ですよ。Boku ni wa asameshimae desu yo.It's a piece of cake for me.
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですか？頼もしいですね。Hontō desu ka? Tanomoshii desu ne.Really? That's very reliable of you.
- 健太 Kentaすぐ終わらせますね。Sugu owarasemasu ne.I'll finish it in no time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
