Translation guide
The English word 'cakewalk' can mean something very easy, or refer to a historical dance or carnival game. This guide focuses on expressing the idea of something being extremely easy in Japanese.
Expressing that a task or activity is extremely easy, a piece of cake.
Literally 'before breakfast', meaning something so easy you can do it before eating. Very common and natural.
That's a cakewalk.
Means 'easy victory' or 'effortless win'. Often used for tasks that are surprisingly easy.
Literally 'like twisting a baby's hand', meaning extremely easy. Somewhat dramatic and less common.
Referring to the historical cakewalk dance or the carnival game where people walk to music and win a cake.
Loanword from English, used to describe the dance or game. May need explanation depending on context.
この仕事は楽勝だった。
This job was a cakewalk.
A playful, slightly old-fashioned phrase meaning 'a piece of cake' or 'easy as pie'. More common in casual speech.
The exam was a cakewalk.
Beating him is a cakewalk.
The cakewalk was popular in the 19th century.
Since the concept is not widely known in Japan, you may need to explain it as a dance or game where participants walk to music and win cakes.
It's a game where you walk to music and win a cake.