Fáciles

Fáciles is the plural form of the Spanish adjective fácil, meaning "easy" or "not difficult." It describes nouns that can be accomplished with little effort or understood without much trouble. As a general rule, fácil is used before the noun in Spanish, while its plural form, fáciles, accompanies plural nouns or can function as a predicate: Las tareas son fáciles; Esos ejercicios son fáciles.

Fácil is invariable for gender and only changes in number. Therefore, it describes both masculine and feminine nouns in the plural: los problemas fáciles, las tareas fáciles. In the singular, the forms are un problema fácil, una tarea fácil. The plural requisitos require the accent on the first syllable, yielding fáciles (fá-ciles) in pronunciation and spelling.

Etymology traces fáciles to Latin facilis “easy,” from facere “to do,” via Old French facile. The Spanish word developed the modern spelling and accent to indicate the stress pattern; the plural keeps the same accent on the first syllable.

Usage notes include that fáciles is commonly used to describe tasks, problems, concepts, or situations that are straightforward. Related terms include facilidad (ease), facilitar (to facilitate), and facilísimo (very easy). Phrases frequently used are fácil de entender (easy to understand) and a contrario, difícil (difficult). Although easy in many contexts, fácil can also convey irony or modesty in some registers, depending on tone and context.