Inklingo

How to Say "easy" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “easy” is “fácil” — use this word when something is not difficult to do, understand, or achieve. It's the most general translation for 'easy'.

fácilA1

Use this word when something is not difficult to do, understand, or achieve. It's the most general translation for 'easy'.

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sencillo🔊A1

Use this word when something is simple, straightforward, and uncomplicated, often implying a lack of complexity.

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simple🔊A1

Use this word when something is basic, uncomplicated, or consists of few parts. It's very similar to 'sencillo'.

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cómodoB1

Use this word when something provides comfort or convenience, making a process or action easier to handle physically or practically.

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tirado🔊B1

Use this word informally to describe something that was very cheap or required almost no effort to obtain or do.

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fácilesA1

This is the plural form of 'fácil', used when referring to multiple tasks, concepts, or items that are not difficult.

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ligera🔊B2

Use this word to describe a task that is not demanding or burdensome, implying it will be completed quickly and without much effort.

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mamado🔊C1

Use this slang term informally to say that a task or test was extremely easy, requiring very little effort.

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English → Spanish

fácil

adjectiveA1
Use this word when something is not difficult to do, understand, or achieve. It's the most general translation for 'easy'.

Examples

El examen de español fue muy fácil.

The Spanish exam was very easy.

sencillo

sen-SEE-yohsenˈθiʎo

adjectiveA1
Use this word when something is simple, straightforward, and uncomplicated, often implying a lack of complexity.
A perfectly formed, primary red square block resting alone on a clean white surface, representing simplicity.

Examples

La receta es muy sencilla, solo lleva tres ingredientes.

The recipe is very simple; it only has three ingredients.

Para mí, el examen de matemáticas fue bastante sencillo.

For me, the math exam was quite easy.

Adjective Agreement

Remember that 'sencillo' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). For a feminine noun like 'vida', use 'sencilla'.

simple

seem-pleh'simple

adjectiveA1
Use this word when something is basic, uncomplicated, or consists of few parts. It's very similar to 'sencillo'.
A colorful illustration showing a child smiling while easily placing the final, large piece into a three-piece wooden puzzle shaped like a star, symbolizing something easy to do.

Examples

Las instrucciones son muy simples.

The instructions are very simple.

Es una solución simple a un problema complicado.

It's a simple solution to a complicated problem.

Me gusta la decoración simple, sin muchos colores.

I like plain decor, without a lot of colors.

One Form for Masculine and Feminine

Good news! simple doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine things. It's un problema simple (a masculine problem) and una solución simple (a feminine solution). You just add an 's' for plural: simples.

Describing People

Mistake: “Calling a person `simple` can sometimes be misunderstood.”

Correction: While `una persona simple` can mean 'a humble, down-to-earth person', it can also sometimes mean 'a simple-minded person'. The word `sencillo/a` is often a safer and more positive choice to describe a person's personality as 'simple' or 'unpretentious'.

cómodo

adjectiveB1
Use this word when something provides comfort or convenience, making a process or action easier to handle physically or practically.

Examples

Es más cómodo pagar con tarjeta que usar efectivo.

It is more convenient to pay by card than to use cash.

tirado

tee-RAH-dohtiˈɾa.ðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use this word informally to describe something that was very cheap or required almost no effort to obtain or do.
A large toy sailboat next to a single, small button, symbolizing a very low price.

Examples

Compré estos zapatos por diez euros. ¡Estaban tirados!

I bought these shoes for ten euros. They were dirt cheap!

El proyecto final fue tirado; lo terminamos en una hora.

The final project was super easy; we finished it in an hour.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'tirado' is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the noun it describes: 'La blusa está tirada' (f.) or 'Los libros están tirados' (pl.).

fáciles

adjectiveA1
This is the plural form of 'fácil', used when referring to multiple tasks, concepts, or items that are not difficult.

Examples

Las matemáticas son difíciles, pero estos ejercicios son muy fáciles.

Math is difficult, but these exercises are very easy.

ligera

lee-HEH-rahliˈxe.ɾa

adjectiveB2
Use this word to describe a task that is not demanding or burdensome, implying it will be completed quickly and without much effort.
A close-up of a knee with a small, colorful adhesive bandage covering a tiny, minor scrape.

Examples

La tarea de hoy es muy ligera, terminarás en diez minutos.

Today's homework is very easy/light, you'll finish in ten minutes.

Afortunadamente, solo fue una quemadura ligera.

Fortunately, it was only a minor burn.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the idea of 'lightness' to difficulty. If a task or problem is 'light', it means it doesn't carry much weight or seriousness.

mamado

mah-mah-dohmaˈmaðo

adjectiveC1slang
Use this slang term informally to say that a task or test was extremely easy, requiring very little effort.
A child easily lifting a single feather with one finger.

Examples

El examen de matemáticas estuvo mamado.

The math exam was a piece of cake.

Ese trabajo está mamado, lo termino en diez minutos.

That job is super easy, I'll finish it in ten minutes.

Describing Things

When used for 'easy,' it describes the task (the noun), so it must match in gender. If the task is 'la tarea' (the homework), it becomes 'mamada'.

Fácil vs. Sencillo/Simple

The most common mistake is using 'fácil' when 'sencillo' or 'simple' would be more precise. While 'fácil' means 'not difficult', 'sencillo' and 'simple' emphasize the lack of complexity or complication in the task or object itself.

Related Translations

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