elementary
gb/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi/ us/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi/
A1
Kiingereza
~ 3300
Maana
maana 0
adjective
A2
property
1
Basic and simple
Very simple and easy to understand; the first level of something.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] is elementary
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'elementary' with 'primary' when talking about importance rather than simplicity.
Visawe
basic (Very close in meaning, but 'basic' is more common in everyday speech.)
|
fundamental ('Fundamental' can sound more formal or academic.)
Vinyume
advanced ('Advanced' refers to a higher, more complex level, opposite of basic.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
elementary mistake
|elementary principle
|elementary level
|elementary skill
Mada
education
|learning
|general
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- The instructions are written in elementary language so everyone can follow them.
- She made an elementary error in her calculations.
- Understanding the concept of gravity is elementary for physics students.
- This book covers only the most elementary principles of chemistry.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The game rules are elementary.
- He made an elementary mistake.
- This is an elementary question.
- We learned elementary math at school.
adjective
A1
property
2
Relating to primary school
About the first years of school for children, usually ages 5–11.
Muundo wa matumizi:
elementary [school/class/teacher]
Kosa la kawaida:
Some learners use 'elementary' instead of 'primary' in British English contexts, which can sound foreign.
Visawe
primary ('Primary' is the standard term in British English for the same school level.)
Vinyume
secondary (Refers to the next level of schooling after elementary/primary.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
elementary school
|elementary teacher
|elementary student
Mada
education
Mifano
- She teaches at an elementary school in the city.
- My son just finished his third year of elementary education.
- Elementary teachers often cover many subjects with the same class.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I go to an elementary school.
- My sister is in elementary school.
- He is an elementary teacher.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Basic indivisible part
In science, describing something that is a basic part and cannot be divided into smaller parts.
Visawe
fundamental ('Fundamental' is broader and not limited to science.)
Vinyume
composite (Made up of more than one part.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
elementary particle
|elementary unit
Mada
science
Mifano
- Electrons are considered elementary particles in physics.
- The theory describes matter as made up of elementary components.
- Protons were once thought to be elementary but are now known to be composite.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- An electron is an elementary particle.
- Atoms have smaller parts, but some particles are elementary.
- In physics, we study elementary particles.
Sarufi
Semi
elementary mistake
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
Very simple error
A very simple mistake that should be easy to avoid.
Mifano
- Leaving your keys inside the car was an elementary mistake.
- He made an elementary mistake in his homework.
elementary school
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi skˈul/
fixed phrase
School for young children
A school for children in their first years, usually ages 5–11.
Mifano
- My daughter starts elementary school next fall.
- They moved to a neighborhood with a good elementary school nearby.
Elementary, my dear Watson
1/ˌɛləmˈɛntɹi | mˈaɪ dˈɪɹ wˈɑtsən/
fixed phrase
literary
It's simple to understand
A famous phrase meaning something is very easy to understand or solve, often used humorously.
Mifano
- 'How did you know?' — 'Elementary, my dear Watson.'
- He figured out the puzzle quickly and said, 'Elementary, my dear Watson.'