Japanese Conversation · Level 45
90 words
Japanese word
単純
Pronunciation
Romajitanjun
Meaning
- na-adjectivesimple
Example
この問題は単純です。ko no mon dai wa tan jun de su
This problem is simple.
More examples
初心者には単純な説明のほうが分かりやすいです。sho shin sha ni wa tan jun na setsu mei no hō ga wa ka ri ya su i de su
For beginners, a simple explanation is easier to understand.
Core concept
Points to a direct, uncomplicated structure that can be understood without much explanation.
Common phrases
単純な説明tan jun na setsu mei
simple explanation
単純な問題tan jun na mon dai
simple problem
Similar words
シンプルshinpuru: Has a straightforward form with few parts and no unnecessary complexity.
簡単kantan: Is not difficult to understand, use, or complete.
簡素kanso: Has few elaborate features and a plain, unadorned form.
Definition in Japanese
要素や手順が少なく、複雑でないさま。yō so ya te jun ga suku na ku fuku zatsu de na i sa ma
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 単純 (tanjun, "simple") combines 単 (tan, "single") with 純 (jun, "pure"), giving the sense of something clear and free from mixture.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 単純な (tanjun na) can mean "simple" in structure or "naive" in judgment, so context shows whether the meaning is positive or critical.
Other meanings
- naivena-adjective
- straightforwardna-adjective
Opposites
- 複雑fukuzatsucomplexna-adjective
Related words
- 単純さtanjunsasimplicitynoun
- 単純化tanjunkasimplificationnoun