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Kotomora

簡

simplicity, brevity

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン
  • ケン

Kun'yomi

  • えら.ぶ
  • ふだ

Meaning

簡 centers on reducing to essentials: simplicity and brevity. It suggests stripping away excess to leave only what is necessary.

Most common words using 簡

20 of 85
  • 簡単かんたん
    N5

    simple; easy; uncomplicated

  • 簡易かんい
    N1

    simple; simplified

  • 簡潔かんけつ
    N1

    concise; brief; succinct; compact (style)

  • 簡略かんりゃく
    N1

    simple; brief

  • 簡素かんそ
    N1

    simple; plain; modest

  • 書簡しょかん

    letter; note; epistle; correspondence

  • 簡便かんべん
    N1

    simple; easy; convenient; handy

  • 簡かん

    simplicity; brevity

  • 簡保かんぽ

    postal life insurance

  • 簡裁かんさい

    summary court; court of summary offences

  • 簡明かんめい

    terse; concise; simple and clear

  • 木簡もっかん

    narrow, long, and thin pieces of wood strung together that were used to write on in ancient times

  • 簡易保険かんいほけん

    postal life insurance

  • いとも簡単にいともかんたんに

    very easily

  • パウロの書簡パウロのしょかん

    Pauline Epistles

  • パウロ書簡パウロしょかん

    the epistles of Paul; Pauline epistles

  • 一了簡いちりょうかん

    at one's discretion

  • 使徒書簡しとしょかん

    the Epistles (of the New Testament)

  • 公同書簡こうどうしょかん

    General Epistles (James, Peter, Jude, John); Catholic Epistles; General Letters

  • 公簡こうかん

    official letter (esp. in internal company corresp.); formal letter

Explore all words using 簡 →

Study

Etymology

簡 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 間, which likely contributes the sound. Historically, bamboo strips were used for writing brief notes or documents, linking the character to simplicity and brevity.

Meaning mnemonic

Bamboo 竹 over 間 (interval/space) suggests a bamboo slip with just a few characters in the space: keeping things simple and brief.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, imagine a can of bamboo strips, each with a short, simple message: can -> カン, and the can holds the essence of simplicity.