Meaning
The kanji 簡 carries the core meanings of simple, brief, concise, and historically a writing tablet or letter. Its most famous compound — 簡単 (kantan, "easy" or "simple") — turns up constantly in conversation, textbooks, and business emails. That alone makes 簡 one of the most practical kanji to learn at the N3 level.
Etymologically, 簡 originated in ancient China as a reference to bamboo slips — thin strips bound together and used as writing surfaces before paper became widespread. Space was limited. Writers had to keep messages short and precise. Over time, the character took on the broader meanings of brevity and simplicity, while keeping its original sense of a written letter or document.
The radical of 簡 is 竹 (take/chiku — bamboo), sitting prominently at the top. You'll spot it in other kanji too: 筆 (writing brush) and 笑 (laugh — one popular mnemonic imagines a figure doubled over like a bending bamboo stalk). Spotting 竹 at the top of 簡 anchors you immediately to those ancient bamboo writing tablets. The character totals 18 strokes and belongs to the Joyo kanji set, without a designated elementary school grade.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 簡 is カン (kan), derived from Middle Chinese. Like most kanji with a single on'yomi, it appears almost exclusively inside compound words (jukugo). Since many other kanji share the カン sound, context is what pins down the meaning.
- 簡単 (kantan) — simple, easy. The most common word built on this kanji — you'd have already encountered it at N5/N4 level, even though the kanji itself is N3.
- 簡潔 (kanketsu) — concise, brief, to the point. A highly valued quality in academic and business writing.
- 簡素 (kanso) — plain, unadorned. Describes a minimalist lifestyle or design stripped of unnecessary elements.
- 書簡 (shokan) — formal letter, written correspondence. Preserves the original meaning of 簡 as a written document.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading of 簡 is ふだ (fuda), meaning a tag, label, or written slip. Rarely heard in modern everyday speech, it surfaces mainly in historical texts and archaeology, preserving the character's original sense of a physical writing surface.
- 木簡 (mokkan) — wooden writing tablet used in ancient Japan for official records. Thousands have been excavated from Nara-period archaeological sites.
- 竹簡 (chikukan) — bamboo slip for writing, the original object that gave this kanji its name.
Common Words & Compounds
The most useful compounds containing 簡, grouped by context.
Everyday & Conversational
- 簡単 (kantan) — easy, simple. Core daily vocabulary.
- 簡単に (kantan ni) — easily, simply. Adverbial form, common in both speech and writing.
Formal & Written Language
- 簡潔 (kanketsu) — concise, succinct. A praised quality in essays and reports.
- 簡略 (kanryaku) — simplified, abbreviated. Common in 簡略化 (kanryakuka, simplification).
- 簡明 (kanmei) — simple and clear, plainly stated.
- 書簡 (shokan) — formal letter, written correspondence.
- 簡易 (kan'i) — simple, makeshift, portable. Appears in 簡易トイレ (portable toilet) and 簡易裁判所 (summary court).
Lifestyle & Design
- 簡素 (kanso) — plain, unadorned, minimalist.
- 簡便 (kanben) — simple and convenient, handy.
- 簡約 (kanyaku) — simplified, condensed.
Historical / Classical
- 木簡 (mokkan) — wooden writing tablet (archaeological term).
- 竹簡 (chikukan) — bamboo slip for writing.
Example Sentences
この問題は簡単です。
Kono mondai wa kantan desu.
This problem is easy.
簡単に説明してください。
Kantan ni setsumei shite kudasai.
Please explain it simply.
それほど簡単ではありません。
Sorehodo kantan dewa arimasen.
It is not that simple.
彼の文章はいつも簡潔でわかりやすい。
Kare no bunsho wa itsumo kanketsu de wakariyasui.
His writing is always concise and easy to understand.
簡易ベッドを部屋に置いた。
Kan'i beddo wo heya ni oita.
I set up a portable bed in the room.
簡素な生活が好きです。
Kanso na seikatsu ga suki desu.
I like a simple, unadorned lifestyle.
報告書は簡略にまとめてください。
Hokokusho wa kanryaku ni matomete kudasai.
Please summarize the report concisely.
先生から書簡が届いた。
Sensei kara shokan ga todoita.
A formal letter arrived from the teacher.
簡単そうに見えるが、実は難しい。
Kantan sou ni mieru ga, jitsu wa muzukashii.
It looks simple, but it's actually difficult.
博物館で木簡の展示を見た。
Hakubutsukan de mokkan no tenji wo mita.
I saw an exhibition of wooden writing tablets at the museum.
Memory Tip
Picture the bamboo (竹) radical sitting at the top of the character — those ancient slips that writers in Japan and China carried like pocket notebooks. Each slip held only so many characters. Every word had to earn its place. Imagine a Nara-era bureaucrat, stylus in hand, carving a terse message onto a wooden tablet (木簡): say what needs to be said, nothing more. That discipline of forced brevity is what 簡 is built on. Next time you spot the two horizontal strokes of the bamboo radical, think: bamboo strip → keep it brief.