adverbial N2 common politewritten
単に — simply
単に ・ たんに
Meaning
- simply / merely / just — frames what follows as nothing more than one plain thing, often to clear up a misunderstanding
Key sentence
単に忘れただけだ。
I simply forgot, that's all.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| adverb; before the verb/clause it limits, usually paired with だけ / に過ぎない | 単に 〜だけ / 〜に過ぎない | 単に運が良かっただけ |
Examples
それは単なる偶然だ。
That's a mere coincidence.
彼は単に事実を確認したかっただけです。
He simply wanted to confirm the facts, nothing more.
When you can't use it
- 単に modifies a verb or clause and usually wants a closing だけ or に過ぎない to complete the 'merely … and no more' frame. Before a NOUN, the form is 単なる ('a mere ~'), not 単に.
Easily confused with
Notes
- Before a noun use 単なる (単なる噂 'a mere rumour'), not 単に.
See 単に in real sentences
Jengo shows 単に the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.