Those who start learning Japanese or are immersed in the language through reading, anime, doramas, or interacting with Japanese people must have heard the word ureshii [嬉しい] or tanoshii [楽しい]. In this article, we will try to understand in depth these and other words that express happiness in the Japanese language.
Other interesting words that express happiness in Japanese are yorokobu [喜ぶ] and shiawase [幸せ]. Notice that all of these words can express feelings of joy, but both have different ideograms. Let's start by analyzing word by word.
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The meaning of Ureshii
The word ureshii [嬉しい] is an i-adjective that means happy and pleasant. The word ureshii is more commonly used in moments or brief feelings of happiness, like someone who is happy for achieving something today. The ideogram [嬉] that makes up this adjective means happy, satisfied, and cheerful.
Below we will see some example sentences with the word ureshii:
| 連れてきてもらえて嬉しいです。 | Tsurete kite moraete ureshīdesu. | I'm glad you brought me. |
| 僕はとてもうれしい。 | Boku wa totemo ureshī. | I am so happy. |
| 僕だって彼女を恋人にできてうれしいんだ。 | I'm happy that I can become her boyfriend too. | I'm so glad she's mine. |
| また会えてうれしいわ。 | Mata aete ureshī wa. | I'm happy to see you again. |
I observed in the sentences and in the translations from jisho that the word ureshii can be used in various situations to replace words like great, thank you, comforting, pleasure, proud, and grateful.
Below we will show some words that have the ideogram [嬉] or adjective ureshii:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| crying with joy | 嬉し泣き | ureshinaki |
| Looks happy, looks happy | 嬉しがる | ureshigaru |
| Flattery, adulation, praise | 嬉しがらせ | ureshigarase |
| joke, pleasure | 嬉戯 | kigi |
| Happy, Joyful, Glad | 嬉々 | kiki |
| happy laughs | 嬉笑 | kishou |
The meaning of Tanoshii
The word tanoshii [楽しい] means pleasant, fun, happy, and delicious. Used in situations like "This day was very fun" or "I had a lot of fun with that". The ideogram [楽] can mean music, comfort, and ease and is involved in various words related to pleasant things like wonderful music.
Unlike ureshii, the word tanoshii is often used to show sustained and long-term happiness. There are cases where the two are interchangeable when expressing happiness.
Below are some example sentences:
| 旅行中楽しい思いをした。 | I had pleasant thoughts during the trip. | I had a lot of fun during the trip. |
| 旅行は楽しかったですか。 | Ryokō wa tanoshikattadesu ka. | Did you like your trip? |
| あまり楽しくなかったな。 | Amari tanoshikunakatta na. | I didn't have much fun. |
| 僕も君と同様楽しくない。 | I also don't enjoy it like you do. | I'm not happier than you. |
Nas frases do jisho eu pude observar que tanoshii pode substituir palavras como prazer, gostar, divertir, gostoso, delicioso, agradável, aproveitar e até conversar ou outras ações divertidas. Às vezes não precisamos especificar uma ação, apenas dizemos que foi divertido ou que estávamos fazendo coisas divertidas.
Below we will show some words that have the ideogram [楽] or adjective tanoshii:
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| Comfort, ease (adjective) | Fun | raku |
| enjoy, have fun (verb) | enjoy | enjoy |
| Pleasure, amusement, pastime (adjective-na) | Looking forward to it! | 楽しみ |
| sheet music | musical score | gakufu |
| Optimism, being an optimistic person | Optimism | rakkan |
| dressing room, backstage | 楽屋 | gakuya |
| Paradise | 楽園 | rakuen |
| Walkover | 楽勝 | gakushou |
| Musical instrument | Musical Instrument | gakki |
Other words that express happiness
Happiness [幸せ] - Literally means happiness, good luck, and blessing. A lasting and deeper happiness. The word shiawase is used in situations like "they married and lived happily ever after." The word is formed with the kanji [幸] which means happiness, blessing, and fortune.
To be happy [喜ぶ] - It is a verb that literally means to be delighted, to be happy, to be satisfied, to congratulate, and to have gratitude. Yorokobu has a nuance that describes a feeling objectively. Its ideogram [喜] means to rejoice, to take pleasure, and to be glad. I see this word a lot in the Bible.
Interesting [面白い] - Literally means interesting, fascinating, intriguing, captivating, fun, funny, comical, and pleasant.
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| Satisfied, Grateful, Appreciative | 幸甚 | koujin |
| Cheerful expression, satisfied look | 湯色 | yushoku |
| Happy, auspicious, propitious, joyful, naive | 目出度い | Congratulations! |
| Harmonious, Peaceful, Happy, Friendly, Trouble Free | harmony | enman |
| Aggravable, cheerful, happy and fun. | Pleasant | yukai |
| Good mood, happy, cheerful | mood | kigen |
| Happy, exalted, good mood, cured | 快然 | kaizen |
| happy (english) | ハッピー | happi |
| Play, have fun | 遊ぶ | asobu |
