KanjiGami
Remembering Kanji Made Easy.
51

Simple, Brief

JLPT N2

Interesting Fact

Before paper became common in Japan, important writings were recorded on bamboo slips. These bamboo strips were called 簡 (kan), and because messages had to fit on a small strip, the kanji came to mean 'simple' or 'brief.'

Memory Trick

Imagine writing a message on a single bamboo strip (⺮). Since there isn't much space, you keep your message short and simple. That is the meaning of 簡.

Readings

Onyomi: カン (kan)

Kunyomi:

Example Words

簡単
かんたん (kantan)
Easy, Simple
簡潔
かんけつ (kanketsu)
Concise
簡易
かんい (kani)
Simple, Convenient
簡略
かんりゃく (kanryaku)
Simplification

Example Sentence

説明 を 簡単 に してください。

せつめい を かんたん に してください。

setsumei o kantan ni shite kudasai

Please explain it simply.

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