“Easy” in Japanese is 簡単 (かんたん), pronounced kantan.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Easy or simple. A な-adjective: 簡単な料理, a simple dish.
Example sentences
- この料理は簡単です。このりょうりはかんたんです。This dish is easy.
- 簡単な日本語で話してください。かんたんなにほんごではなしてください。Please speak in simple Japanese.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 簡単. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Before a noun | 簡単な〜 かんたんな〜 | easy (thing) |
| Polite present | 簡単です かんたんです | is easy |
| Negative | 簡単じゃないです かんたんじゃないです | isn’t easy |
| Past | 簡単でした かんたんでした | was easy |
| Past negative | 簡単じゃなかったです かんたんじゃなかったです | wasn’t easy |
| Adverb (に) | 簡単に かんたんに | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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What does {{簡単}} mean?
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Which word means “early”?
Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say easy in Japanese?
Easy in Japanese is 簡単 (かんたん), pronounced “kantan”.
How do you write easy in Japanese?
It's written 簡単 with kanji, or かんたん in hiragana. Both are read kantan.
Is 簡単 on the JLPT?
Yes. 簡単 (kantan) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.