Korean word

단순히

Pronunciation

Romanizationtansunhi

Meaning

  • adverbsimply

Example

그는 단순히 웃었다.keu neun tan sun hi u seot tta

He simply smiled.

Illustration for 단순히 (simply)

More examples

단순히 그를 탓할 수는 없다.tan sun hi keu reul ta tal ssu neun eop tta

You cannot simply blame him.

Core concept

One clear cause or fact stands alone, with no extra conditions or complications attached.

Common phrases

  • 단순히 말해서tan sun hi mal hae seo

    put simply

  • 단순히 생각하면tan sun hi saeng ga ka myeon

    if you think simply

  • 단순히 웃다tan sun hi ut tta

    simply laugh

Similar words

그냥keunyang: Shows something remaining unchanged or an action done for no particular reason.
단지tanji: Emphasizes that the statement covers only one specific point.
그저keujeo: Expresses calm acceptance of a state or action without expecting anything different.

Definition in Korean

복잡한 이유나 조건 없이 오로지 하나의 원인이나 사실만을 가리킬 때 쓰는 부사pok jja pan i yu na cho geon eop ssi o ro ji ha na ui wo ni ni na sa sil ma neul ka ri kil ttae sseu neun pu sa

Word origin

The base combines Sino Korean elements meaning single and pure, and the adverb forming suffix -hi turns the related adjective into an adverb.

Usage tips

  • English simply can describe an easy method, whereas this word often narrows an explanation to one factor.

Other meanings

  • in a simple wayadverb

Opposites

  • 복잡하게pokjjapagein a complicated wayadverb
  • 복합적으로pokapjjeogeuroin a multifaceted wayadverb

Related words

  • 단순하다tansunhadasimpleadjective
  • 단순성tansunseongsimplicitynoun
  • 단순화하다tansunhwahadasimplifyverb

Word lists with this word