簡単すぎる
kantan sugiru
In Japanese, "too easy" is expressed as 簡単すぎる (kantan sugiru).
The phrase is used to describe something that requires very little effort to accomplish. Depending on the context, it can imply that a task is trivial or even boring because it lacks challenge.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 簡単 (kantan), meaning 'easy' and the verb すぎる (sugiru), meaning 'to exceed' or 'to do too much'.
How do you pronounce it?
kantan sugiru
Did you know?
- While 簡単すぎる is common, Japanese speakers often use the idiom 朝飯前 (asameshimae) to say something is 'too easy'. It literally translates to 'before breakfast', implying a task is so simple it can be finished before the first meal of the day.
- If you say a task is 簡単すぎる, it can sound slightly condescending to a superior. In professional settings, it is safer to use 容易 (youi) to describe something as easy, as it sounds more objective and less judgmental.
- While 簡単すぎる is a direct way to say 'too easy', you might hear the word 余裕 (yoyuu) used to mean 'I've got this easily'. It describes having mental or physical breathing room, rather than just a simple task.
Examples in context
- この問題【もんだい】は容易【ようい】すぎるので、追加【ついか】の説明【せつめい】は必要【ひつよう】ありません。This problem is too easy, so no additional explanation is necessary.
- あのゲームはめちゃくちゃ簡単【かんたん】だよ！That game is ridiculously easy!
- テストなんて超【ちょう】簡単【かんたん】だったよ。The test was so easy, no problem at all.
- このテストは簡単すぎる。Kono tesuto wa kantansugiru.This test is too easy.
- 宿題が簡単すぎるので、すぐ終わった。Shukudai ga kantasugiru node, sugu owatta.The homework was too easy, so it finished quickly.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a test they just took.
- 美咲 Misaki今日のテストはどうだった？Kyō no tesuto wa dō datta?How was today's test?
- 健太 Kenta簡単すぎたよ。Kantan sugita yo.It was too easy.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に？私は難しかったけど。Hontō ni? Watashi wa muzukashikatta kedo.Really? I thought it was difficult.
- 健太 Kentaあそこは簡単すぎると思ったよ。Asoko wa kantan sugiru to omotta yo.I thought that part was too easy.
