jiǎndān

简单

HSK 3Word · AdjectiveTraditional簡單

simple; easy; uncomplicated; ordinary

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 9 examples
1.

adjective

simple; uncomplicated; easy to understand, use, or handle

Used to describe things that are not complex, have few steps, or are straightforward.

Zhè这
gè个
wèn问
tí题
de的
dá答
àn案
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
 。

The answer to this question is very simple.

Tā他
xǐ喜
huān欢
jiǎn简
dān单
de的
shè设
jì计
 。

He likes simple designs.

Show 2 more examples
Zhè这
gè个
cài菜
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
 ,
yī一
kàn看
jiù就
huì会
 。

The recipe for this dish is very simple; you'll know how to make it just by looking.

Qǐng请
nǐ你
jiǎn简
dān单
jiè介
shào绍
yī一
xià下
zì自
jǐ己
 。

Please briefly introduce yourself.

2.

adjective

ordinary; plain; average (often used in the negative)

Used to describe people's experience, ability, or background as being nothing special, but more commonly used with '不' (bù) to mean 'not ordinary' or 'impressive'.

Tā他
néng能
jiě解
jué决
zhè这
me么
nán难
de的
wèn问
tí题
 ,
kě可
bù不
jiǎn简
dān单
 !

He can solve such a difficult problem; that's really impressive!

Zhè这
wèi位
kē科
xué学
jiā家
de的
bèi背
jǐng景
yī一
diǎn点
dōu都
bù不
jiǎn简
dān单
 。

This scientist's background is anything but ordinary.

Show 1 more example
Bié别
xiǎo小
kàn看
tā他
 ,
zhè这
gè个
rén人
bù不
jiǎn简
dān单
 。

Don't underestimate him; this person is no ordinary individual.

3.

adjective

cursory; careless; perfunctory

informal

Describes an action done without sufficient care, thought, or detail.

Diào调
chá查
gōng工
zuò作
bù不
néng能
jiǎn简
dān单
cóng从
shì事
 。

We cannot handle the investigation work in a cursory manner.

Tā他
jiǎn简
dān单
kàn看
le了
yī一
xià下
bào报
gào告
jiù就
qiān签
le了
zì字
 ,
zhè这
tài太
cǎo草
shuài率
le了
 。

He signed the document after just a cursory glance at the report; that's far too careless.