simple
simple — 形容詞
1. not difficult to do, understand, or deal with because there are not many parts o
簡單的
不複雜，容易理解或做到的
not difficult to do, understand, or deal with because there are not many parts or steps involved
The instructions for this game are very simple — even a young child can follow them.
這款遊戲的說明非常簡單，連小孩子都能看懂。
collocation: very simple + for emphasis
Ada showed me a simple way to fix the broken drawer without hiring anyone.
Ada 教我一個簡單的方法，不用花錢請人就能修好壞掉的抽屜。
The recipe is simple: just mix the flour, eggs, and sugar in a bowl.
食譜很簡單：只要把麵粉、雞蛋和糖放在碗裡攪拌就可以了。
Eitan found a simple solution to the problem in just five minutes.
Eitan 五分鐘就找到了一個簡單的解決辦法。
- easy
emphasizes low effort; 'simple' emphasizes lack of complexity
- straightforward
more formal; suggests clarity and logic
- uncomplicated
slightly more formal; neutral in tone
用法筆記
Common in questions and instructions. Often used with 'it' as a dummy subject: 'It is simple to check the oil level.'
常見錯誤
2. used before a noun to highlight that a particular fact, reason, or truth is the
根本的
強調唯一重要的事實或原因
used before a noun to highlight that a particular fact, reason, or truth is the only important one, without adding extra complications
The simple truth is that Kian forgot to buy the train tickets on time.
根本的事實是 Kian 忘了準時買火車票。
pattern: the simple truth/fact/reason + is that...
The simple reason we lost is that we did not practice enough as a team.
我們輸掉比賽的單純原因，就是全隊練習得不夠。
Meera gave a simple answer: she wanted to help her family move someplace safer.
Meera 給了一個簡單的答案：她想幫家人搬到更安全的地方。
The simple point is that we need more time to finish the job properly.
根本的問題是，我們需要更多時間才能把工作好好做完。
用法筆記
Only used before nouns (attributive position). Most common with 'fact', 'truth', 'reason', 'answer', 'point'.
3. made in a basic style with no extra decoration, patterns, or details added for s
樸素的
沒有裝飾或花樣的
made in a basic style with no extra decoration, patterns, or details added for show
Valentina wore a simple black dress and no jewellery to the ceremony.
Valentina 穿著一件樸素的黑色洋裝，沒有戴任何首飾就去參加典禮了。
collocation: simple black dress / simple white shirt
The couple chose a simple wooden table with no carvings for their new kitchen.
那對夫妻為新廚房選了一張沒有雕花的樸素木桌。
The hotel room had simple white walls and a single bed by the window.
旅館房間裡有樸素的白牆，窗邊放著一張單人床。
Kasia prefers simple furniture without any gold handles or carvings.
Kasia 喜歡沒有金色把手和雕花的樸素家具。
用法筆記
Often used approvingly to suggest elegance through minimalism. Contrasts with 'ornate', 'fancy', or 'elaborate'.
常見錯誤
4. built from very few pieces without many connected parts or layers
結構簡單的
由少數部件構成的
built from very few pieces without many connected parts or layers
A simple knife consists of just a blade and a handle joined together.
一把簡單的刀子就是由刀片和刀柄組合而成的。
before noun: simple + tool/device
Esteban designed a simple machine that uses only three moving parts to lift heavy boxes.
Esteban 設計了一台結構簡單的機器，只用三個活動零件就能抬起沉重的箱子。
The old clock has a simple mechanism with just a few gears inside.
那座老鐘的機芯結構很簡單，裡面只有幾個齒輪。
A simple lever can lift a heavy rock when placed in the right spot.
只要放對位置，一根簡單的槓桿就能抬起大石頭。
- basic
emphasizes minimal features rather than few parts
- elementary
suggests the simplest level; also means 'introductory'
- primitive
suggests early stage of development, not just simplicity
用法筆記
Only used before nouns (attributive position). Describes the physical composition of objects, tools, and machines.
5. describes a way of living, eating, or doing things that follows traditional or n
樸實的
傳統、自然而不複雜的生活方式
describes a way of living, eating, or doing things that follows traditional or natural patterns rather than modern, complicated, or artificial ones
Christopher moved to the countryside and now enjoys a simple life growing vegetables.
Christopher 搬到鄉下，現在過著種菜的樸實生活。
collocation: simple life / simple living
Inês prefers simple meals made from ingredients she grows in her own garden.
Inês 喜歡吃簡單的餐點，食材都是自己菜園裡種的。
The village has kept a simple way of life that has remained unchanged for generations.
那個村莊保留了樸實的生活方式，幾代以來都沒有改變。
Joon enjoys simple pleasures such as walking in the forest and watching birds.
Joon 喜歡簡單的樂趣，比如在森林裡散步和賞鳥。
- natural
focuses on being unaffected by human intervention
- rustic
describes the countryside; can suggest roughness as well as simplicity
- unpretentious
does not try to impress; describes people or lifestyles
- elaborate
involves many details or careful planning
- artificial
not natural; made by human effort to imitate something
用法筆記
Often carries a positive, romanticized tone — suggesting that a simpler life is purer, healthier, or more authentic than a modern one.
6. old-fashioned and now often considered offensive; describes someone who has diff
頭腦簡單的
智力低下的（舊式用法，現多被視為冒犯）
old-fashioned and now often considered offensive; describes someone who has difficulty learning or understanding things that most people find easy
In the old story, the villagers call the boy 'simple' because he cannot read.
在那個古老的故事裡，村民們因為那個男孩不會閱讀，就叫他「傻子」。
old-fashioned usage — now considered offensive
Pim read an old novel about a simple farmhand treated cruelly by his employers.
Pim 讀了一本舊小說，書中一名頭腦簡單的農場工人被雇主虐待。
In older books, the word 'simple' described characters who were naive and easily tricked.
在舊書裡，「simple」這個詞用來形容天真又容易上當的角色。
Valentina found old letters that called a relative 'a simple woman who never learned to read'.
Valentina 發現了一些舊信件，其中提到一位親戚是「從沒學過識字的笨女人」。
用法筆記
Now widely considered offensive when referring to a person's intelligence. Modern alternatives include 'person with learning disabilities' or 'person with intellectual disabilities'. In older literature, this usage was common but should not be used today.
常見錯誤
simple — 名詞
1. old-fashioned and offensive; a person who is believed to lack intelligence or th
傻子；笨蛋
缺乏智力或判斷力的人（舊式冒犯用語）
old-fashioned and offensive; a person who is believed to lack intelligence or the ability to understand ordinary things. The more common modern word is 'simpleton'.
In the play, the townspeople treat the old simple as if he cannot understand the world around him.
在那部戲劇中，鎮上的人對待那位老人家，好像他聽不懂周遭的世界一樣。
rare noun usage — offensive in modern English
Adisa read an old book in which a travelling simple is laughed at by the innkeeper.
Adisa 讀了一本舊書，書中一個四處旅行的傻子被旅店老闆嘲笑。
The old word 'simple' once meant a person who could not care for themselves.
「simple」這個舊詞曾經用來指無法照顧自己的人。
Historians found a diary from the 1700s that calls a local beggar 'a poor simple'.
歷史學家發現了一本十八世紀的日記，裡面稱當地的乞丐為「可憐的傻子」。
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English. The noun 'simpleton' is more common but also considered offensive. Avoid using either to describe a real person.