Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 1

Structure of ～易(やす)い:

Verb［ます］+ やすい

Details about ～易(やす)い:

易(やす)い is an い-Adjective that is regularly seen attached to the ます stem of verbs (the form of a verb that can be used as a noun). When attached in this way, it carries the meaning of 'easy to (A)', where (A) is the verb that comes before やすい.

私(わたし)は食(た)べやすいサイズにステーキを切(き)る。
I will cut the steak into a size that's easy to eat.
この漫画(まんが)にはフリガナがついているから読(よ)みやすいです。
Since this manga has furigana included, it's easy to read.

Sometimes, やすい has a translation that is a bit closer to 'prone to (A)', or 'likely to (A)' in English. This nuance is regularly seen when the verb is related to emotions.

あの先輩(せんぱい)は怒(おこ)りやすいからめんどくさい。
That senpai is prone to getting angry, so he's annoying.
カスミちゃんは泣(な)きやすいから優(やさ)しくしてね。
Kasumi is likely to cry, so please be nice to her. (Kasumi cries easily)

～易(やす)い

Usage Notes for ～易(やす)い:

There is another adjective 安(やす)い that has the meaning of 'cheap'. This kanji should never be used with verbs to mean 'easy'. Most of the time, やすい itself will be written in hiragana, and usage of 易(やす)い is quite limited.