What is the Kanji for "Simple" and "Single"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Simple" and "Single", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Simple" and "Single" is "単".

This kanji has 1 reading:

Its onyomi reading is "Tan".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 3 parts:

The radical "⺍" means "Small" . The kanji "日" means "Day" and "Sun" and can be read as "Jitsu", "Nichi", "Hi", and "Ka". And The kanji "十" means "Ten" and can be read as "Juu" and "Too".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "単" mean in japanese?

"単" means "Simple" and "Single".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

簡単: "Easy". The Japanese adjectival noun '簡単 (かんたん)' means 'easy'. It is used to describe something that can be done or accomplished without much difficulty or effort. '簡単' can be used to describe tasks, activities, or even solutions. For example: This problem is easy - (この問題は簡単です). It's easy to use - (使うのは簡単です).

単位: "Unit". The Japanese noun '単位 (たんい)' means 'unit'. This noun refers to a standard measure or quantity used as a basis for measuring or calculating. It can be used to describe various units of measurement, such as units of time, distance, weight, volume, etc. For example: One meter is the unit of length - (1メートルは長さの単位です). This text book is sold by the unit - (この教科書は単位で販売されています).

単に: "Simply" or "Just". The adverb '単に (たんに)' means 'simply' or 'just'. It is used to emphasize that something is done or happens in a basic or uncomplicated way, without additional elements. For example: I simply want to rest - (単に休みたいだけ). I just want to go home - (単に家に帰りたい).

単純: "Simple". The adjectival noun '単純 (たんじゅん)' refers to something that is simple, uncomplicated or straightforward. It can be used to describe ideas, concepts, processes or objects that lack complexity. For example: The recipe is simple - (その料理は単純です). A simple solution - (単純な解決策)

単なる: "Mere". The Japanese determiner '単なる (たんなる)' means 'mere' or 'simple'. It is used to emphasize that something is basic, ordinary or without special qualities. For example: She is a mere student - (彼女は単なる学生だ). It was a mere coincidence - (それは単なる偶然だった).

単語: "Word". The Japanese noun '単語 (たんご)' means 'word'. This noun refers to a single, distinct unit of language used to express a concept, communicate meaning, or serve as the basic components of sentences. It is a fundamental building block of language. For example: This book has many interesting words - (この本には興味深い単語がたくさんある). I need to learn more words - (もっと単語を学ばなければならない).

単数: "Singular". The noun '単数 (たんすう)' refers to the singular form of a word, as opposed to the plural form. It is used to describe a grammatical number that denotes one person, thing, or instance of something. For example: This is a singular noun - (これは単数の名詞です). She has one cat, which is in the singular - (彼女には猫が1匹いて、それは単数形です).

単独: "Sole" or "Lone". The Japanese adjectival noun '単独 (たんどく)' means 'sole' or 'lone'. It is used to describe something that is the only one of its kind or that stands alone without any others. This word can be used to describe a single person, object or situation. For example: He lives a sole existence - (彼は単独な生活を送っている). The sole survivor of the accident - (事故の単独の生存者).

単調: "Monotonous". The Japanese adjectival noun '単調 (たんちょう)' means 'monotonous'. It is used to describe something that lacks variety, is repetitive or unvaried. It can apply to sounds, activities, or even a person's personality or behavior. For example: Their job is monotonous - (彼らの仕事は単調だ). The music was monotonous - (音楽は単調だった).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "た" is read as "ta". And The hiragana "ん" is read as "n".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.