Japanese word

安易

Pronunciation

Romajian'i

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecareless

Example

彼は安易に決めました。kare wa an i ni ki me ma shi ta

He decided carelessly.

Illustration for 安易 (careless)

More examples

その問題に安易な答えを出してはいけません。so no mon dai ni an i na kota e o da shi te wa i ke ma se n

You must not give a careless answer to that problem.

Core concept

Describes treating a decision or action as simpler than it really is and proceeding without enough thought.

Common phrases

  • 安易に考えるan i ni kanga e ru

    think carelessly

  • 安易な考えan i na kanga e

    a careless idea

  • 安易に決めるan i ni ki me ru

    decide carelessly

  • 安易に受け入れるan i ni u ke i re ru

    accept carelessly

Similar words

安直anchoku: Uses an overly simple approach to a problem, often by choosing the easiest answer.
軽率keisotsu: Involves acting or deciding without enough care or thought, often before considering the results.
短絡的tanrakuteki: Reaches a simple conclusion without examining other steps or possible issues.
浅はかasahaka: Shows poor judgment because deeper issues or possible results have not been considered.

Definition in Japanese

物事を深く考えず、十分な検討もしないまま決めたり行ったりするさま。mono goto o fuka ku kanga e zu jū bun na ken tō mo shi na i ma ma ki me ta ri okona tta ri su ru sa ma

Word origin

安易 (an'i) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 安 (an, "peaceful") and 易 (i, "easy"), expressing an untroubled and insufficiently considered approach.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the neutral English word "easy", 安易 (an'i) often suggests choosing the easy path without adequate thought and can sound critical.

Other meanings

  • easyna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 安易さanisacarelessnessnoun

Word lists with this word