French dictionary

simple/sɛ̃pl/

adjective / noun · A1 · Frequency 624

adjective

single; uncompounded
Refers to a single entity that is not compound or complex.
simple, straightforward, easy
Refers to something easy to understand or do.
plain, unsophisticated
Refers to style or appearance that is not complex or fancy.
one-way (ticket)
chiefly in fixed phrases: aller simple
mere, pure
Emphasizes the sole nature or degree of something.

L'oxygène est un corps simple, car il n'est pas composé de plusieurs éléments.
Oxygen is a simple substance because it is not composed of several elements.
Cet exercice simple ne demande que quelques minutes.
This simple exercise takes only a few minutes.
C'est un homme simple qui préfère vivre à la campagne.
He is a plain, unsophisticated man who prefers living in the countryside.
Dans cette phrase, le verbe est employé à un temps simple.
In this sentence, the verb is used in a simple, non-compound tense.

C’est très facile.
C’est très simple.
'facile' emphasizes subjective ease (e.g., low effort), while 'simple' stresses objective lack of complexity or compoundness; 'simple' is preferred for rules, instructions, or structures.
une simple robe
une robe simple
Most French adjectives—including 'simple'—follow the noun; only a few short, intrinsic-quality adjectives (e.g., beau, bon, grand) may precede it. Preposing 'simple' alters meaning (often implying 'mere' or 'mere token'), so standard descriptive use requires postposition.

Il préfère le simple au double pour son premier match du tournoi.
He prefers singles to doubles for his first match of the tournament.
Le simple demande souvent plus d endurance que le double.
Singles often requires more endurance than doubles.
Elle s est inscrite au simple pour jouer seule sur le court.
She entered the singles event so that she could play alone on the court.

single; uncompounded
Refers to a single entity that is not compound or complex.
simple, straightforward, easy
Refers to something easy to understand or do.
plain, unsophisticated
Refers to style or appearance that is not complex or fancy.
one-way (ticket)
chiefly in fixed phrases: aller simple
mere, pure
Emphasizes the sole nature or degree of something.

Ces molécules simples ne contiennent qu'un seul type de composant.
These uncompounded molecules contain only one type of component.
Les consignes simples permettent aux nouveaux employés de commencer rapidement.
Straightforward instructions allow new employees to get started quickly.
Elle préfère porter des vêtements simples au bureau.
She prefers to wear plain clothes to the office.
En morphologie, certaines formes simples s'opposent aux périphrases analytiques.
In morphology, some synthetic forms contrast with analytic periphrases.

Dans ce tournoi, les simples se jouent avant les doubles.
In this tournament, the singles are played before the doubles.
Elle préfère les simples aux doubles parce qu'elle aime jouer seule.
She prefers singles to doubles because she likes playing alone.
Le club organise des simples chaque samedi après-midi.
The club organizes singles matches every Saturday afternoon.