jiǎn

简

Character · Adjective · Verb · NounTraditional簡

simple; simplify; bamboo slip; letter; select

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

6 senses · 20 examples
1.

adjective

simple; uncomplicated; not complex

Used to describe things that are not complicated, or language that is concise.

Zhè这
ge个
shè设
jì计
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
shí实
yòng用
 。

This design is simple and practical.

Tā他
de的
fā发
yán言
yán言
jiǎn简
yì意
gāi赅
 ,
hěn很
yǒu有
shuō说
fú服
lì力
 。

His speech is concise and very persuasive.

Show 3 more examples
Wǒ我
men们
yào要
shān删
fán繁
jiù就
jiǎn简
 ,
tí提
gāo高
gōng工
zuò作
xiào效
lǜ率
 。

We need to cut out the unnecessary and simplify to improve work efficiency.

Zhè这
zhǒng种
jiǎn简
dān单
de的
fāng方
fǎ法
jiě解
jué决
le了
dà大
wèn问
tí题
 。

This simple method solved a big problem.

Zhè这
fèn份
bào报
gào告
xiě写
de得
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
míng明
liǎo了
 。

This report is written simply and clearly.

2.

verb

to simplify; to make simpler

Used for reducing complexity in systems, processes, or organizations.

Wǒ我
men们
xū需
yào要
jīng精
jiǎn简
jī机
gòu构
 ,
jiǎn减
shǎo少
kāi开
zhī支
 。

We need to streamline institutions and cut expenses.

Zhèng政
fǔ府
tuī推
xíng行
jīng精
bīng兵
jiǎn简
zhèng政
de的
zhèng政
cè策
 。

The government has implemented the policy of streamlining the military and administration.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
jiǎn简
huà化
le了
gōng工
zuò作
liú流
chéng程
 ,
tí提
gāo高
le了
xiào效
lǜ率
 。

He simplified the work process and improved efficiency.

Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhàng章
bèi被
jīng精
jiǎn简
le了
yī一
bàn半
de的
zì字
shù数
 。

This article has been shortened by half its original word count.

Xué学
xiào校
jīng精
jiǎn简
le了
xíng行
zhèng政
rén人
yuán员
de的
shù数
liàng量
 。

The school reduced the number of administrative staff.

3.

noun

surname Jian

A common Chinese family name.

Jiǎn简
xiān先
shēng生
shì是
wǒ我
men们
gōng公
sī司
de的
xīn新
jīng经
lǐ理
 。

Mr. Jian is our company's new manager.

Jiǎn简
lǎo老
shī师
jiāo教
wǒ我
men们
yǔ语
wén文
kè课
 。

Teacher Jian teaches our Chinese class.

4.

noun

ancient bamboo slip for writing

literary

A traditional writing material before paper was widely used.

Gǔ古
dài代
de的
shū书
jí籍
cháng常
bèi被
kè刻
zài在
zhú竹
jiǎn简
huò或
mù木
jiǎn简
shàng上
 。

Ancient books were often inscribed on bamboo or wooden slips.

Zhè这
xiē些
chū出
tǔ土
de的
jiǎn简
cè册
jì记
zǎi载
le了
liǎng两
qiān千
nián年
qián前
de的
lì历
shǐ史
 。

These unearthed bamboo slips record history from two thousand years ago.

Show 1 more example
Kǎo考
gǔ古
xué学
jiā家
fā发
xiàn现
le了
dà大
liàng量
de的
zhàn战
guó国
zhú竹
jiǎn简
 。

Archaeologists discovered a large number of Warring States period bamboo slips.

5.

noun

letter; written note

literary

A formal or casual written message, used in literary or formal contexts.

Tā他
shōu收
dào到
le了
yuǎn远
fāng方
péng朋
yǒu友
de的
shū书
jiǎn简
 。

He received a letter from a friend far away.

Wǒ我
gěi给
kè客
hù户
xiě写
le了
yī一
fēng封
xiǎo小
jiǎn简
 ,
què确
rèn认
hé合
zuò作
xì细
jié节
 。

I wrote a short note to the client to confirm the cooperation details.

6.

verb

to select; to choose (talents)

formal

Used in formal or literary contexts for selecting qualified people for positions or tasks.

Gōng公
sī司
zhèng正
zài在
xuǎn选
bá拔
yōu优
xiù秀
de的
yīng应
jiè届
bì毕
yè业
shēng生
 。

The company is selecting excellent recent graduates.

Zhèng政
fǔ府
xuǎn选
bá拔
le了
yī一
pī批
zhuān专
yè业
rén人
cái才
jìn进
rù入
zhì智
kù库
 。

The government selected a group of professionals to join the think tank.

Show 1 more example
Zhè这
ge个
xiàng项
mù目
xū需
yào要
xuǎn选
bá拔
yǒu有
jīng经
yàn验
de的
tuán团
duì队
chéng成
yuán员
 。

This project needs to select experienced team members.