Translation and Meaning of: 易しい - yasashii

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 易しい (yasashii) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: yasashii

Kana: やさしい

Type: adjective

L: jlpt-n5

易しい

Translation / Meaning: easy; simple; simple

Meaning in English: easy;plain;simple

Definition: Simple and easy to understand.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (易しい) yasashii

The word 「易しい」 (yasashii) is a Japanese adjective that can be translated as "easy" or "gentle" in English. The etymology of 「易しい」 traces back to the ancient Japanese term 「安（やす）」 (yasu), which means "easy," "calm," or "secure." Over time, the word has evolved into its modern form 「易しい」, incorporating nuances of both simplicity and delicacy in dealing with others.

In its kanji writing, 「易しい」 uses the kanji 「易」, which also appears in words like 「貿易」 (boueki) meaning "trade" or "exchange", and 「困難」 (konnan) meaning "difficulty", showing its connection to the concept of ease and smoothness. This kanji can be broken down into two main components: 「日」, meaning "sun" or "day", and 「勿」, which is a more abstract character but can be interpreted as fluidity or lightness.

The Japanese language often uses the word 「易しい」 in different contexts to indicate not only ease in terms of activities or problems but also as a compliment to someone's kind personality. For example, a person described as 「優しい人」 (yasashii hito) has a compassionate and helpful nature. This duality of meaning makes the word 「易しい」 a great example of how the Japanese language values not only practical function but also the emotional nuances of words in everyday use.