Translation guide
Describes a task that is simple, not difficult, or requires little effort. Japanese offers several common adjectives and phrases to express this, depending on nuance and formality.
The most common way to say a task is easy, straightforward, or not hard.
The most general and widely used word for 'easy' or 'simple'. Works in both casual and formal contexts.
This task is easy.
It was an easy problem.
Means 'easy' or 'gentle', often used for tasks, questions, or problems. Slightly more literary than 簡単, but still common.
This test is easy.
Formal or written word for 'easy'. Often used in official documents or academic contexts.
That task is not easy.
Emphasizes that the task is extremely easy, almost effortless.
Literally 'before breakfast', meaning something is so easy you can do it before eating. Very common casual phrase.
This is a piece of cake.
Slangy noun meaning 'easy victory' or 'a breeze'. Often used among friends.
Downplays the difficulty, suggesting the task is not worth worrying about.
Both mean 'easy', but 簡単 is more common in everyday speech and covers 'simple' as well. 易しい is often used for problems, questions, or tests, and can also mean 'gentle' (as in a gentle slope). In many cases they are interchangeable, but 簡単 is the safer default.
While 簡単な仕事 is correct, in casual conversation Japanese speakers often use phrases like 朝飯前 or 大したことない instead of the direct adjective+noun combination. Overusing 簡単な仕事 can sound textbook-ish.
Another idiomatic phrase meaning 'a piece of cake' or 'easy as pie'. Slightly old-fashioned but still understood.
That's a piece of cake.
この仕事、楽勝だね。
This job is a breeze.
This is nothing.