German word

einfach

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nfax/

Meaning

  • adjectiveeasy

Example

Die Prüfung war am einfachsten von allen.

The exam was the easiest of all.

Illustration for einfach (easy)

More examples

Das Rezept ist einfach und dauert nur zehn Minuten.

The recipe is easy and takes only ten minutes.

Core concept

One straightforward path with few parts or rules leads to the result without complications.

Common phrases

  • sehr einfach

    very easy

  • einfach zu verstehen

    easy to understand

  • ganz einfach

    quite easy

Similar words

leicht: Needing little effort, time, or physical strength.
unkompliziert: Simple to follow or handle, without troublesome steps or confusing details.
simpel: Very basic in structure and quick to grasp.

Definition in German

schlicht und übersichtlich; ohne viele Teile oder Regeln

Word origin

Einfach developed from German ein ('one') and Fach ('layer' or 'fold'), first describing something single-layered before gaining the senses 'simple' and 'easy'.

Usage tips

  • Einfach often describes a simple structure, while leicht more directly describes low difficulty, effort, or weight.

Other meanings

  • easilyadverb
  • simplyadverb
  • simpleadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Einfachheitsimplicitynoun
  • vereinfachensimplifyverb
  • Vereinfachungsimplificationnoun

Word lists with this word