Translation and Meaning of: 楽 - raku

The Japanese word 「楽」 (raku) has a rich etymology and a meaning that resonates with Eastern culture and philosophy. The character 「楽」 is composed of two main elements: the radical 「白」 which means white and the radical 「木」 which represents a tree. This combination may symbolize lightness and naturalness, capturing the essence of the concept of comfort and pleasure. Originally, the kanji 「楽」 was associated with music, capturing the idea of harmonious and pleasurable sounds that uplift the spirit.

In the modern context, 「楽」 is often translated as "comfortable", "easy" or "pleasant". This term encompasses both the absence of effort or difficulty as well as the absence of worries. Additionally, it is used to describe experiences that bring joy or satisfaction, as in 「楽しむ」 (tanoshimu), which means to enjoy or have fun. The simplicity that 「楽」 suggests is often desired in daily life, grounding itself in the pursuit of harmony and contentment.

Although the exact origin of the word 「楽」 is ancient, it has evolved over time while remaining in harmony with cultural traditions and values. In Japanese art and philosophy, the pursuit of 「楽」 is closely linked to wabi-sabi, the aesthetic of accepting transience and imperfection. This concept is reflected in the way natural beauty and simplicity are appreciated in various Japanese cultural practices. Thus, 「楽」 not only refers to a momentary experience of pleasure but to a deeper state of mind.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 快適 (kaiteki) - Comfortable, pleasant
• 愉快 (yukai) - Fun, cheerful
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasurable
• 気楽 (kiraku) - Relaxed, light
• 楽観的 (rakkan-teki) - Optimist
• 楽天家 (rakutenka) - An optimistic person
• 楽器 (gakki) - Musical instrument
• 音楽 (ongaku) - Music
• 楽園 (rakuen) - Paradise, pleasant place
• 楽しむ (tanoshimu) - Enjoy, have fun
• 楽勝 (rakushou) - Easy victory, victory without effort
• 楽天 (rakuten) - Optimism, positive expectation
• 楽しめる (tanoshimeru) - Being able to have fun
• 楽しませる (tanoshimaseru) - Make someone have fun
• 楽しいこと (tanoshii koto) - Fun things
• 楽しい時間 (tanoshii jikan) - Fun moments
• 楽しい場所 (tanoshii basho) - Fun places
• 楽しい気分 (tanoshii kibun) - Feeling of fun
• 楽しい思い出 (tanoshii omoide) - Fun memories
• 楽しい体験 (tanoshii taiken) - Fun experiences
• 楽しい旅行 (tanoshii ryokou) - Fun trips
• 楽しいイベント (tanoshii ibento) - Fun events

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楽

Romaji: raku
Kana: らく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: comfort; ease

Meaning in English: comfort;ease

Definition: Enjoy music or have pleasant emotions.

Example Sentences - (楽) raku

See below some example sentences:

レストランで美味しい食事を楽しみました。

Resutoran de oishii shokuji wo tanoshimimashita

I enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant.

I enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant.

• レストラン (resutoran) - restaurant
• で (de) - in
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• 食事 (shokuji) - meal
• を (wo) - direct object
• 楽しみました (tanoshimimashita) - took advantage, enjoyed

テントでキャンプを楽しむ。

Tento de kyanpu o tanoshimu

Enjoy the camp in a tent.

Enjoy camping in the tent.

• テント (tento) - tent
• で (de) - in
• キャンプ (kyanpu) - camping
• を (wo) - direct object
• 楽しむ (tanoshimu) - enjoy

ガスコンロで料理をするのは楽しいです。

Gasukonro de ryōri wo suru no wa tanoshii desu

Cooking on a gas stove is fun.

Cooking with a gas stove is fun.

• ガスコンロ - gasukonro - gas stove
• で - from - in, using
• 料理 - cooking - cooking, kitchen
• を - wo - object particle
• する - suru - to do make
• のは - no wa - particle that indicates topic
• 楽しい - Fun - Fun, pleasurable
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) Verb to be/estar in the present

オートバイは速くて楽しい乗り物です。

Ootobai wa hayakute tanoshii norimono desu

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

• オートバイ (ootobai) - motorcycle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 速くて (hayakute) - fast and
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
• 乗り物 (norimono) - vehicle
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

オートマチックな車は運転が楽です。

Ootomachikku na kuruma wa unten ga raku desu

An automatic car is easy to drive.

Automatic cars are easy to drive.

• オートマチックな - adjective that means "automatic"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• は - Topic particle
• 運転 - noun that means "to direct"
• が - subject particle
• 楽 - adjective that means "easy" or "comfortable"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この催しはとても楽しいです。

Kono moyoshi wa totemo tanoshii desu

This event is a lot of fun.

• この催し - "kono saishi" - This event
• は - wa- Topic particle
• とても - totem - Very
• 楽しい - "fun" Funny
• です - desu - Ser/estar (linking verb)

シナリオを書くのはとても楽しいです。

Shinario wo kaku no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Writing a script is very fun.

Writing a scenario is a lot of fun.

• シナリオ (shinario) - It means "script" or "scenario" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 書く (kaku) - The verb that means "to write" in Japanese is 書く (kaku).
• のは (no wa) - Japanese topic particle
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - 楽しい
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese

ジャズは私の好きな音楽ジャンルです。

Jazu wa watashi no sukina ongaku janru desu

Jazz is my favorite music genre.

Jazz is my favorite music genre.

• ジャズ - jazz
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• の - Possessive particle
• 好き - Like, preference
• な - adjectival particle
• 音楽 - Music
• ジャンル - genre
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

スキーは冬の楽しみです。

Sukii wa fuyu no tanoshimi desu

Skiing is winter fun.

Skiing is a winter pleasure.

• スキー - ski
• は - Topic particle
• 冬 - Winter
• の - Possession particle
• 楽しみ - fun, pleasure
• です - verb to be in the polite form

ボートで湖を漕ぐのはとても楽しいです。

Bōto de mizuumi wo kogu no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Rowing a boat in a lake is a lot of fun.

It's a lot of fun to row a lake with a boat.

• ボート (bōto) - boat
• で (de) - in, with
• 湖 (mizuumi) - lake
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 漕ぐ (kogu) - remar
• の (no) - Possession particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present