simplest

IPA/ˈsɪm.pəl/
KK[sˈɪmpləst]IPA/ˈsɪm.pəl/

simplest — 形容詞

  • simplestpositive
  • more simplestcomparative
  • most simplestsuperlative

1. not hard to do, understand, or deal with; taking little effort to figure out or

1.形容詞A2
釋義

簡單的;簡易

容易理解或做到的

not hard to do, understand, or deal with; taking little effort to figure out or complete.

例句

The instructions for putting up the tent were short and simple enough for anyone to follow.

搭帳篷的說明寫得很簡短又簡單,任何人都看得懂。

simple + enough for [person] to [verb]

Liam showed Heloísa a simple way to open the coconut without tools.

Liam 教 Heloísa 一個簡單的方法,不用工具就能打開椰子。

常見搭配
  • simple question
  • simple answer
  • simple way
  • simple process
  • quite simple
  • very simple
同義詞
  • easy

    more general; 'simple' suggests few steps or parts, 'easy' suggests little effort

  • straightforward

    more formal; emphasises clarity without complications

  • clear

    focuses on being easy to understand rather than easy to do

反義詞
  • difficult

    the most direct opposite across all contexts

  • complicated

    opposite in the sense of having many interwoven parts

文法句型

simple + to-infinitive

simple + noun

常見錯誤

This math problem is very simplicity.
This math problem is very simple.
use the adjective 'simple', not the noun 'simplicity'.
It's simple for doing it.
It's simple to do it.
the to-infinitive follows 'simple', not 'for + -ing'.

2. used before a noun to emphasise the single most important or basic element of a

2.形容詞B1
釋義

基本;根本

強調最關鍵的事實或原因

used before a noun to emphasise the single most important or basic element of a situation, without extra details or explanations.

例句

The simple truth is that Bilal forgot to set his alarm clock last night.

簡單的事實是 Bilal 昨晚忘了設鬧鐘。

the simple truth is (that) …

For the simple reason that the road was closed, the school bus took a different route.

原因很簡單,就是道路封閉了,所以校車走了另一條路線。

the simple reason that …

常見搭配
  • simple truth
  • simple fact
  • simple reason
  • simple idea
同義詞
  • basic

    more neutral; 'simple' adds a tone of 'this is all you need to know'

  • plain

    overlaps in emphasising lack of added detail, but 'plain' can also mean 'obvious'

  • fundamental

    more formal and academic

文法句型

the simple + noun (fact / truth / reason)

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears before the nouns 'truth', 'fact', 'reason', or 'idea'. It emphasises the core of an issue, not an evaluation of difficulty (see sense 1).

常見錯誤

The simple truth it's that he left.
The simple truth is that he left.
'that' is required after 'the simple truth is'.

3. not decorated, not fancy, and without any extra features or ornaments.

3.形容詞B1
釋義

樸素的;樸實

沒有裝飾或花樣的

not decorated, not fancy, and without any extra features or ornaments.

例句

The couple chose a simple white dress and a plain wooden ring for their wedding.

這對新人選了一件簡單的白紗和一只樸素的木戒指來辦婚禮。

simple + (colour / material) + noun

Evelyn prefers a simple hairstyle that she can brush in under one minute.

Evelyn 喜歡簡單的髮型,一分鐘內就能梳理好。

常見搭配
  • simple dress
  • simple design
  • simple food
  • simple life
  • simple style
同義詞
  • plain

    very similar; 'plain' emphasises lack of colour/pattern while 'simple' can include minimal elegance

  • basic

    sometimes negative, suggesting it is too plain or lacks quality

  • unadorned

    formal; used mostly in writing about art or design

反義詞
  • fancy

    the most common everyday opposite

  • elaborate

    suggests many decorative details

文法句型

simple + noun (dress / design / style)

用法筆記

Often describes clothes, food, furniture, design, and architecture. It differs from sense (4) NOT COMPLEX because PLAIN focuses on visual or surface decoration, while NOT COMPLEX focuses on internal structure or arrangement.

4. having only a few parts or steps, without complicated relationships between them

4.形容詞B1
釋義

單純;簡易

零件或步驟很少的

having only a few parts or steps, without complicated relationships between them.

例句

The old clock has a surprisingly simple mechanism with just three wheels.

這座老鐘的機芯簡單得驚人,只有三個齒輪。

simple + mechanism / system / structure

The company uses a simple filing system that anyone in the office can understand.

這家公司使用簡單的歸檔系統,辦公室裡的每個人都能看懂。

常見搭配
  • simple structure
  • simple system
  • simple machine
  • simple organism
同義詞
  • uncomplicated

    more formal; used especially in medical or technical contexts

  • basic

    emphasises that something is at the lowest level, not necessarily simple overall

反義詞
  • complex

    the direct opposite in terms of structure or arrangement

  • elaborate

    suggests many carefully arranged parts

文法句型

be/remain/seem + simple

simple + noun (structure / system / machine)

常見錯誤

This machine is more simple than that one.
This machine is simpler than that one.
shorter comparative is preferred for 'simple'.
The design is simplier to build.
The design is simpler to build.
'simplier' is not a word; use 'simpler'.

5. ordinary and traditional, not influenced by modern trends or complicated lifesty

5.形容詞B1
釋義

樸實的;純樸

傳統而不追求時髦的

ordinary and traditional, not influenced by modern trends or complicated lifestyles.

例句

The villagers lead a simple life, growing their own food and weaving their own cloth.

村民們過著簡單的生活,自己種糧食、自己織衣服。

simple + life / lifestyle / folk

The Hernandez family chose a simple wedding with just close family and a backyard barbecue.

Hernandez 一家選擇了樸實的婚禮,只有近親參加和後院烤肉。

simple + (event / celebration) — lifestyle choice

常見搭配
  • simple life
  • simple people
  • simple pleasures
  • simple folk
同義詞
  • humble

    emphasises modest social or economic status, not just lack of complexity

  • modest

    overlaps but more about not showing off wealth or status

  • unpretentious

    more formal; emphasises lack of desire to impress

反義詞
  • elaborate

    opposite in lifestyle — fancy, highly detailed

  • extravagant

    opposite in the sense of wasteful or showy spending

文法句型

simple + noun (people / folk / life)

用法筆記

Often carries a positive connotation of authenticity or wholesomeness. Distinguish from sense (3) PLAIN, which describes appearance, whereas this sense describes a way of life or character.

6. old-fashioned term for someone who has limited mental ability or is too trusting

6.形容詞B2
釋義

愚笨;天真

智力較低或容易受騙的

old-fashioned term for someone who has limited mental ability or is too trusting, making them easy to deceive.

例句

The village priest described Mateo as a simple soul who never questioned anything he was told.

村裡的牧師說 Mateo 是個頭腦簡單的人,別人說什麼他都信。

simple + soul (dated collocation for naive person)

Charlotte's grandmother was described in old family letters as a simple woman who trusted every travelling merchant that came to the village.

Charlotte 的祖母在舊家書中被描述為一個單純的女人,對每個來到村裡的旅行商人都深信不疑。

常見搭配
  • simple soul
  • simple mind
  • simple person
同義詞
  • naive

    overlaps in the sense of lacking experience; less offensive and more common

  • simple-minded

    a clearer compound form, though still potentially offensive

  • unsophisticated

    neutral; focuses on lack of worldliness rather than mental ability

反義詞

文法句型

be + simple

simple + noun (person / soul)

用法筆記

This sense is dated and can be offensive when used to describe a living person. Modern alternatives include 'learning disability' or 'intellectual disability'. In older literature it may also mean 'naive' or 'unsophisticated' without a negative judgment.

常見錯誤

He is simple but he works hard.' (when you mean 'naive' or 'unsophisticated')
He is a simple guy who just wants to help.
this old-fashioned use can still be found, but avoid it for describing intelligence directly.

simplest — 名詞

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語