ANIMEPHRASE
26 May, 2024•By: Japanese Travel Blogger

そんな簡単なこと

Hello listeners and welcome to today’s lesson! In this episode, we’ll break down a short Japanese passage and explain its meaning in simple English terms.

The passage consists of two sentences. Let’s look at the first one: 不死川:そんな簡単なことでいいのかよォ (Shinazugawa: Sonna kantan na koto de ii no ka yo)

Breaking this down:

  • そんな (sonna) means “that kind of”
  • 簡単 (kantan) means “simple” or “easy”
  • なこと (na koto) means “thing”
  • でいい (de ii) means “is okay/fine”
  • のか (no ka) at the end turns it into a question
  • よ (yo) adds emphasis

So in simple terms, the character Shinazugawa is saying: “Can it really be that simple?” He seems to be questioning or doubting whether something can truly be so easy or straightforward.

Now let’s look at the reply: 冨岡:これを簡単と言ってしまえる簡単な頭で羨ましい (Tomioka: Kore o kantan to itte shimaeru kantan na atama de urayamashii)

Breaking this down:

  • これ (kore) means “this”
  • を (o) marks the object
  • 簡単 (kantan) again means “simple”
  • と言って (to itte) means “call/say”
  • しまえる (shimaeru) means “end up doing”
  • 頭 (atama) means “head” but implies “mind/thinking”
  • で (de) means “with”
  • 羨ましい (urayamashii) means “envious”

So Tomioka is responding sarcastically: “I envy your simple mind for thinking that is ‘simple’.” In other words, he doesn’t actually think it’s simple at all and is making a jab at Shinazugawa for oversimplifying things.

In summary, this short exchange shows Shinazugawa questioning whether something is really as easy as it seems, and Tomioka making a sarcastic retort implying that Shinazugawa is being simplistic in his thinking. The tone is casual between peers and a bit snarky.

I hope this helps explain the meaning and nuance! We broke down each part, but the overall gist is what’s most important to understand. Keep an eye out for these kinds of sarcastic quips in casual spoken Japanese.

Thanks for listening, and see you next time!