simple

Compared meaning: not difficult or not requiring much effort (adjective).

比较义项：简单、不难、不费力（形容词）。

• simple 本词

  The plainest, most general word for something with few parts or steps; used broadly for tasks, designs, and ideas in neutral, everyday language.

  最基础、最通用的词，指组成部分或步骤少；广泛用于任务、设计和概念，语气中性，十分常见。

  The website has a simple layout with just one menu and one button.

  这个网站的布局很简单，只有一个菜单和一个按钮。

• easy

  Focuses on how little effort or skill a task demands, rather than its structure; the most common, casual word for 'not difficult.'

  强调完成某事所需的努力或技能很少，而不是强调结构本身；是表达“不难”最常用、最口语化的词。

  The exam was easy, so most students finished in twenty minutes.

  这次考试很容易，所以大多数学生二十分钟就做完了。

• effortless

  A stronger word implying a task looks or feels like it needs no effort at all, often praising someone's skill or grace; usually describes a performance, not an object.

  语气更强，强调某事看起来或感觉完全不费力气，常用来称赞某人的技巧或优雅，通常描述动作或表现，而不是物品。

  The dancer made the spin look effortless, as if she wasn't even trying.

  这位舞者把旋转动作做得毫不费力，好像根本没在用力。

• uncomplicated

  Emphasizes the absence of complications in a process, situation, or relationship; slightly more formal than simple, often used for recipes, procedures, or relationships.

  强调过程、情况或关系中没有复杂或麻烦之处；比 simple 略正式，常用于食谱、流程或人际关系。

  We wanted an uncomplicated evening, with no plans and no surprises.

  我们想要一个简单不复杂的夜晚，没有计划，也没有意外。

All four mean 'not difficult'. Simple and uncomplicated stress few parts or steps, not effort. Easy stresses how little effort a task needs. Effortless is strongest, suggesting a performance needs no effort, praising skill. Not covered: simple as 'plain', easy as 'relaxed'.

这四个词在“简单、不难”这个义项上意思相近，但语气和侧重点不同：simple 和 uncomplicated 侧重“结构简单、没有复杂之处”，easy 侧重“所需努力少”，effortless 语气最强，强调“看起来毫不费力”，常用来称赞技巧。这里不比较 simple 的“朴素的、头脑简单的”义项，也不比较 easy 的“轻松自在的（如安乐椅）”义项。

Compared meaning: not complicated or decorated (adjective).

比较义项：朴素的，简单的，不复杂或不加修饰的（形容词）。

• simple 本词

  Simple stresses that something is easy to understand or not complicated in structure or process, e.g. simple instructions, a simple design, a simple task.

  simple强调事物容易理解，结构或过程不复杂，例如简单的说明、简单的设计、简单的任务。

  The instructions were simple enough for anyone to follow.

  这些说明非常简单，任何人都能看懂照做。

• plain

  Plain stresses a lack of decoration or extra features - unadorned, ordinary, without embellishment - often describing food, clothing or style rather than difficulty.

  plain强调不加装饰、没有多余的花样——朴素、普通、未经修饰，常用来形容食物、穿着或风格，而不是难易程度。

  He prefers plain rice without any sauce or spices on top.

  他更喜欢不加任何酱汁或香料的清淡米饭。

Both can mean 'simple, not complicated'. Simple stresses that something is easy to understand, as in simple instructions or a simple task. Plain stresses a lack of decoration, often describing food, clothing, or style. Not covered: plain meaning 'clear', as in a plain statement.

这两个词在“不复杂、朴素”这一意义上很接近，容易混淆：simple强调事物本身容易理解、操作或结构不复杂；plain强调外观上不加装饰、朴素普通，常用于食物、穿着、说话方式等。这里不比较plain的“清楚的”这一义项（如make one's meaning plain，意为把话说清楚）。

Compared meaning: not very intelligent (adjective).

比较义项：智力迟钝、不太聪明（形容词）。

• simple 本词

  An old-fashioned, informal way to call someone not very intelligent; mildly patronizing but not a clinical or offensive label, common in everyday speech.

  一种老式、口语化的说法，用来说某人不太聪明；略带居高临下的意味，但不是临床术语，也不带冒犯性，日常口语中很常见。

  Grandpa always said the boy was a bit simple, though he was kind and reliable.

  爷爷总说这个男孩有点simple，不过他为人善良，也很可靠。

• retarded

  A now-outdated clinical term for below-normal mental development; today it is widely seen as offensive and has been replaced by terms like 'intellectually disabled'.

  一个如今已过时的临床术语，指智力发育低于正常水平；现在普遍被视为带有冒犯性，已被“智力障碍”等说法取代。

  Older textbooks sometimes called such children retarded, a term now considered offensive.

  旧课本有时会把这类儿童称为retarded，如今这个说法已被视为带有冒犯性。

Both can describe someone as not very intelligent. Simple is an old-fashioned, informal way to say this, patronizing but not clinical. Retarded is an outdated clinical term for below-normal mental development, seen as offensive. Not covered: simple meaning 'not complicated', retarded meaning 'to slow down'.

这两个词都可以指一个人的智力低于正常水平，但语域差别很大：retarded 是过时的临床用语，如今普遍被认为带有冒犯性；simple 则是较随意、老派的口语说法，语气没有那么严重。这里不比较 simple 的“简单的、不复杂的”义项，也不比较 retarded 作动词表示“使…变慢、延缓”的义项（如本词库例句中修饰植物生长）。