Chinese Conversation · Level 23
90 words
Chinese word
简单
Pronunciation
Pinyinjiǎn dān
Meaning
- adjectivesimple
Example
这个问题很简单。zhè ge wèn tí hěn jiǎn dān
This problem is very simple.
More examples
这道题看起来简单，但其实有些陷阱。zhè dào tí kàn qǐ lái jiǎn dān dàn qí shí yǒu xiē xiàn jǐng
This question looks simple, but it actually has a few traps.
Core concept
A plain structure leaves little to untangle, so the thing or task is straightforward.
Common phrases
很简单hěn jiǎn dān
very simple
简单的题目jiǎn dān de tí mù
simple question
看起来很简单kàn qǐ lái hěn jiǎn dān
look simple
Similar words
容易róng yì: Requiring little effort to complete and presenting little difficulty.
轻松qīng sōng: Requiring little mental or physical effort and allowing a relaxed feeling.
Definition in Chinese
性质或结构单一，不含复杂成分；处理或说明时可以用很少的步骤或材料完成。xìng zhì huò jié gòu dān yī bù hán fù zá chéng fèn chú lǐ huò shuō míng shí ké yǐ yòng hén shǎo de bù zhòu huò cái liào wán chéng
Word origin
The character 简 (jiǎn, "bamboo slips") comes from the bamboo strips used for concise writing, and 单 (dān, "single") contributes the sense of one uncomplicated unit.
Usage tips
- When 简单 (jiǎndān, "simple") describes an explanation, it can mean clear and uncomplicated rather than short, since a long explanation may still follow a simple line of thought.