Translation guide
Ways to describe a task or action that is simple, effortless, or not difficult.
Describing something as easy or simple to do.
A common, neutral way to say something is easy to do. 簡単 means 'simple' or 'easy', and できる means 'can do'.
この料理は簡単にできます。
This dish is easy to make.
More formal or written than 簡単にできる. Often used in instructions or formal contexts.
この作業は容易にできます。
This task can be done easily.
Implies ease with a sense of comfort or lack of effort. 楽 means 'comfortable' or 'easy'.
この椅子なら楽に作業できます。
With this chair, you can work comfortably/easily.
An adjective meaning 'easy' or 'simple', often used in the phrase たやすいこと (an easy thing). Slightly literary.
それはたやすいことだ。
That's an easy thing to do.
Emphasizing that something requires almost no effort.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'a piece of cake' or 'easy as pie'. Literally 'before breakfast'.
こんな仕事は朝飯前だ。
This kind of work is a piece of cake.
Another idiomatic expression for something extremely easy. Often used in casual speech.
そんなの、お茶の子さいさいだよ。
That's a piece of cake.
Very casual, short for わけがない (there's no reason it can't be done), meaning 'no problem' or 'easy'.
そんなのわけないよ。
That's easy, no problem.
Referring to a specific easy thing to do.
Literally 'a simple thing'. Used to refer to an easy task.
それは簡単なことです。
That's something easy to do.
やさしい means 'easy' or 'gentle'. やさしいこと is a common way to say 'an easy thing'.
やさしいことから始めましょう。
Let's start with something easy to do.
簡単 (かんたん) is the most common word for 'easy' or 'simple'. 容易 (ようい) is more formal and often used in written language. 楽 (らく) implies ease with comfort or lack of strain.
この問題は簡単だ。
This problem is easy.
容易に解決できる。
It can be easily resolved.
楽な姿勢で座ってください。
Please sit in a comfortable position.
In Japanese, you don't always need to translate 'something' as 何か. Often the context makes it clear, or you can use こと (thing) or simply omit it.
簡単なことを探している。
I'm looking for something easy to do.
この辺で簡単にできることはありますか？
Is there something easy to do around here?
週末に簡単にできることがしたい。
I want something easy to do on weekends.