とても簡単
totemo kantan
The Japanese phrase for "very easy" is とても簡単 (totemo kantan).
This phrase is used to describe a task or process that requires very little effort to complete.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of totemo (very) and kantan (easy/simple).
Which one should you use?
While とても簡単 emphasizes the simplicity of a process or structure, とても易しい is often used specifically for the difficulty level of academic subjects or tests.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite tone suitable for most social situations, you can add desu to the end to form とても簡単です. If you need to be very formal, you can use 非常に簡単です or 大変容易です. In informal settings, すごく簡単 is commonly used, while めちゃくちゃ簡単 is a colloquial version. Among younger people, the slangy expression めっちゃ簡単 is also common.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, add に to the end to form とても簡単に.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kantan
Did you know?
- If you want to say a task is 'so easy it's a breeze', you might use the idiom 朝飯前 (asameshimae), which literally translates to 'before breakfast'.
- While 簡単 means 'easy', its kanji characters literally translate to 'simple' and 'divide', reflecting the idea that something is easy when it can be broken down into smaller parts.
- The slang term めっちゃ (meccha) used for 'very' originated from the Kyoto dialect of Japanese before becoming popular nationwide through youth culture.
Examples in context
- この問題はとても簡単だよ。This problem is very easy.This sentence uses とても簡単 to describe the difficulty of a problem.Tatoeba #12897692 by small_snow, translation #13464379 by CK
- 北極星は、とても簡単に見つかります。The North Star is very easy to find.This sentence uses とても簡単 to describe how easy it is to find the North Star.Tatoeba #11779914 by bunbuku, translation #3378640 by _undertoad
- この課題は大変容易です。This assignment is very easy.
- この料理はすごく簡単だよ。This dish is very easy to make.
- このゲームはめちゃくちゃ簡単だよ！This game is super easy!
- このゲームのルールはとても簡単です。Kono geemu no ruuru wa totemo kantan desu.The rules of this game are very easy.
Example conversation
Yui is asking Hiroto about a new board game.
- 結衣 Yuiこのゲーム、難しくない？Kono geemu, muzukashikunai?Is this game difficult?
- 大翔 Hiroto全然、とても簡単だよ。Zenzen, totemo kantan dayo.Not at all, it's very easy.
- 結衣 Yui本当に？すぐに覚えられるかな？Hontou ni? Sugu ni oboerareru kana?Really? I wonder if I can learn it quickly?
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫、結衣ならすぐできるよ。Daijoubu, Yui nara sugu dekiru yo.It's okay, you can do it right away, Yui.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
