Chinese word

轻易

Pronunciation

Pinyinqīng yì

Meaning

  • adverbeasily

Example

他很轻易就放弃了。tā hěn qīng yì jiù fàng qì le

He gave up very easily.

Illustration for 轻易 (easily)

More examples

不要轻易相信网络上的消息。bú yào qīng yì xiāng xìn wǎng luò shàng de xiāo xī

Do not easily believe information on the internet.

Core concept

An action carries little effort or deliberation, so it goes through almost casually.

Common phrases

  • 轻易相信qīng yì xiāng xìn

    believe too easily

  • 轻易放弃qīng yì fàng qì

    give up easily

  • 轻易改变qīng yì gǎi biàn

    change easily

Similar words

容易róng yì: Done without needing much effort because the task is not difficult.
轻松qīng sōng: Done comfortably and smoothly, with little physical or mental strain.

Definition in Chinese

不费很大力气或未经深思就能发生或完成的样子。bú fèi hěn dà lì qì huò wèi jīng shēn sī jiù néng fā shēng huò wán chéng de yàng zi

Word origin

The compound 轻 (qīng, "light") + 易 (yì, "easy") shifts physical lightness toward the idea of an action occurring with little resistance.

Usage tips

  • The negative form 不轻易 (bù qīngyì, "not readily") often describes someone who does not give something up or make a decision quickly, highlighting restraint rather than haste.

Other meanings

  • lightlyadverb

Opposites

  • 慎重地shèn zhòng dìcautiouslyadverb
  • 认真地rèn zhēn dìseriouslyadverb

Word lists with this word