Question 1

Why is 很 in the sentence? Doesn’t it mean “very”?

Accepted Answer

In sentences where an adjective is the predicate, Mandarin usually inserts 很 (hěn) as a default degree marker. In neutral statements it often doesn’t translate as “very”; it just makes the sentence sound natural. Without it, 这个问题容易 can sound contrastive or emphatic (“this question IS easy (not hard)”). If you truly mean “very,” you can use context or a stronger word like 非常.

Question 2

Why isn’t 是 used before 容易?

Accepted Answer

Adjectives in Chinese can function as stative verbs and don’t need 是. So you say 这个问题很容易, not “这个问题是容易.” Use 是 to link nouns: 这是个问题. You can use 是 for emphasis/contrast: 这个问题是很容易的, but that’s a different (more contrastive) structure.

Question 3

Do I need 个 after 这? Could I say 这问题?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you normally need a measure word after demonstratives: 这 + measure word + noun. The common classifier for 问题 is 个: 这个问题. 这问题 is possible in very formal/literary styles but sounds odd in everyday speech.

Question 4

Is 个 the right measure word for 问题? Could I use 道?

Accepted Answer

For 问题, the default classifier is 个: 一个问题 / 这个问题. For test/exercise items, you typically use 题 with 道: 这道题很容易. You wouldn’t normally say “一道问题” in modern usage.

Question 5

How do I pronounce the whole sentence?

Accepted Answer

这个问题很容易。 Pinyin: zhè ge wèn tí hěn róng yì.
- Tones: 这(4) 个(neutral or 4) 问(4) 题(2) 很(3) 容(2) 易(4).
- Tone sandhi: 很 stays 3rd tone here because it’s not followed by another 3rd tone. In fast speech, 个 is often neutral: zhège.  
Note: Standard Chinese writing doesn’t use spaces; they’re just for learning clarity.

Question 6

How would I ask “Is this question easy?”

Accepted Answer

Two common ways:
- 这个问题容易吗？ (neutral yes/no)
- 这个问题容不容易？ (A-not-A pattern)  
Be careful: 这个问题很容易吗？ asks “Is it very easy?” (emphasizing degree), not a neutral yes/no.

Question 7

How do I negate it? How do I say “not easy at all” or “too easy”?

Accepted Answer

- Negation: 这个问题不容易。
- Softer/hedged: 这个问题不太容易。
- Strong: 一点也不容易 / 一点都不容易。
- “Too easy”: 这个问题太容易了。

Question 8

Can I replace 容易 with 简单? What’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but nuance differs:
- 容易 = easy to do/achieve (low difficulty).
- 简单 = simple (not complex).  
So 这个问题很容易 (easy to handle/solve) vs 这个问题很简单 (not complicated). In many contexts both work, but 简单 focuses on simplicity, 容易 on effort/difficulty.

Question 9

What’s the difference between 问题 and 题/题目?

Accepted Answer

- 问题 (wèntí): question you ask; issue/problem to be solved (broad).  
- 题 / 题目 (tí / tímù): exam/exercise item or a topic/title.  
So for a test item, say 这道题很容易. For an issue or a question in conversation, 这个问题很容易 (e.g., easy to address/solve).

Question 10

Can I turn it into “This is an easy question”?

Accepted Answer

Yes: 这是个容易的问题。  
Here you use 是 because you’re equating “this” with a noun phrase “an easy question.” Note the attributive structure 容易的 + 问题 with 的.

Question 11

Can I put 容易 directly before 问题 without 的?

Accepted Answer

No. As an attributive modifier before a noun, you need 的: 容易的问题 (“an easy question”). Without 的 (容易问题) is ungrammatical in modern Mandarin.

Question 12

Is it ever okay to drop 很?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in contrastive or exclamatory contexts and in some formal writing:  
- Contrast: 那个问题难，这个问题容易。  
- Exclamation: 这个问题容易！  
In neutral statements, keep 很 to avoid sounding abrupt or contrastive.

Question 13

How else can I use 容易?

Accepted Answer

It commonly precedes verbs to mean “easily / prone to”:
- 这个问题很容易解决。 (easy to solve)
- 他很容易紧张。 (he gets nervous easily)
- 纸很容易被水弄湿。 (paper is easily made wet by water)  
You don’t need 地 in these patterns.

zhè gè wèntí hěn róngyì.

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