Translation guide
How to express 'simplify' in Japanese, covering making things easier, reducing complexity, and explaining in simple terms.
To reduce complexity, make a process or thing less complicated.
Commonly used for simplifying systems, procedures, or designs. Often used in formal or business contexts.
手続きを簡素化する必要がある。
We need to simplify the procedures.
Means to make something simpler, often by removing unnecessary elements. Can be used in both formal and casual settings.
問題を単純化しすぎないでください。
Don't oversimplify the problem.
A more casual, everyday way to say 'make it simple/easy'. Suitable for spoken Japanese.
説明をもっと簡単にしてください。
Please simplify the explanation.
To rephrase something complex so it's easier to understand.
Literally 'say in an easy-to-understand way'. Very natural for simplifying explanations.
専門用語を使わずに、わかりやすく言ってください。
Please simplify it without using technical terms.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'to break down and explain in simple terms'. Conveys thorough simplification.
難しい概念を噛み砕いて説明してくれた。
He simplified the difficult concept for me.
Means to make something plain or easy. Often used for language or writing style.
文章を平易にする。
Simplify the text.
To simplify a mathematical expression or fraction.
Specifically for reducing fractions to their simplest form.
この分数を約分してください。
Please simplify this fraction.
General term for simplifying mathematical expressions, though less precise than 約分する for fractions.
式を簡単にしなさい。
Simplify the expression.
簡素化する often implies streamlining or removing unnecessary parts, while 単純化する focuses on making something less complex in structure. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 簡素化する is more common in business and administrative contexts.
Directly translating 'simplify' as シンプルにする is not standard Japanese. Use the options above instead.