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:

ユーモアは人生を楽しくする力です。

Yūmō wa jinsei o tanoshiku suru chikara desu

Humor is the power to make life fun.

• ユーモア - 言葉は「ユーモア」です。
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• 人生 - A palavra em japonês que significa "vida" é "生命" (seimei).
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 楽しくする - 動かす (ugokasu)
• 力 - A palavra em japonês que significa "força" ou "poder" é 力 (chikara).
• です - verb in Japanese that indicates the polite form of the present

レッスンを受けるのは楽しいです。

Ressun wo ukeru no wa tanoshii desu

Taking classes is fun.

It's fun to have lessons.

• レッスン (Ressun) - classroom
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 受ける (ukeru) - Receive, take
• のは (nowa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Completion particle

一年に一回のイベントが楽しみです。

Ichinen ni ikkai no ibento ga tanoshimi desu

I look forward to the event once a year.

• 一年 (ichi-nen) - one year
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 一回 (ik-kai) - once
• の (no) - Article that indicates possession or attribution
• イベント (ibento) - event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ (tanoshimi) - Prazer, diversão
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

中継局からの生中継をお楽しみください。

Chūkei kyoku kara no nama chūkei o otanoshimi kudasai

Please enjoy the live broadcast of the relay station.

• 中継局 - Estação de retransmissão
• から - of
• の - Possession particle
• 生中継 - Live broadcast
• を - direct object particle
• お楽しみください - please, enjoy

再び会える日を楽しみにしています。

Mata ni aeru hi wo tanoshimi ni shiteimasu

I'm anxious

I look forward to seeing him again.

• 再び - again
• 会える - find, see
• 日 - day
• を - object particle
• 楽しみにしています - anxiously waiting, eagerly anticipating

大いに楽しんだ。

Ooini tanoshinda

I had so much fun.

• 大いに - adverb that means "very" or "big"
• 楽しんだ - Verb in the past meaning "had fun" or "enjoyed"

娯楽は人生に欠かせないものです。

Goraku wa jinsei ni kakasenai mono desu

Entertainment is indispensable to life.

• 娯楽 - Entertainment
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - life
• に - Location particle
• 欠かせない - indispensable
• もの - thing
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

小学校で友達を作るのは楽しいです。

Shougakkou de tomodachi wo tsukuru no wa tanoshii desu

Making friends in elementary school is fun.

It's fun to make friends in elementary school.

• 小学校で - in primary school
• 友達を - friends
• 作る - make
• のは - is
• 楽しい - fun
• です - (sentence ending particle)

帰るのが楽しみです。

Kaeru no ga tanoshimi desu

I look forward to returning home.

I'm looking forward to going back.

• 帰る - The verb "to return home"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ - noun that means "fun" or "enjoyable"
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates formality and politeness in the Japanese language

年賀状を書くのが楽しみです。

Nengajou wo kaku no ga tanoshimi desu

I am excited to write New Year's cards.

I am excited to write a New Year's card.

• 年賀状 - New Year's card
• を - object particle
• 書く - write
• のが - nominal particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ - Prazer, diversão
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present