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道Nihongo Path
易

易·easy, trade

On-yomi
エキイ
Kun-yomi
やさしい

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

8 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
易しいやさしいeasy, simple
貿易ぼうえきtrade (between countries)
容易よういeasy, straightforward
安易あんいeasygoing, taking the easy way

Example sentences

  1. この本は易しい日本語で書かれています。

    このほんはやさしいにほんごでかかれています。

    This book is written in easy Japanese.

  2. 日本は多くの国と貿易をしています。

    にほんはおおくのくにとぼうえきをしています。

    Japan trades with many countries.

  3. その問題は容易に解決できません。

    そのもんだいはよういにかいけつできません。

    That problem cannot be solved easily.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 易しい (easy) and 優しい (kind) are both やさしい — same sound, different kanji and meaning
  • Reading 貿易 as ぼうえい — that is 防衛 (defence)

Memory aid

Picture it

The sun 日 on top with rays slanting down below — when the sun is out, the job is easy.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 易 mean?