幸せ
shiawase[ɕia̠β̞a̠se̞]
Happiness in Japanese can be expressed as 幸せ (shiawase) or 幸福 (kōfuku).
Meaning: emotion of being happy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 幸せ | shiawase | [ɕia̠β̞a̠se̞] (narrow) |
| 幸福 | kōfuku | [ko̞ːɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟] (narrow) |
Both words refer to the emotion of being happy.
What does it mean word for word?
Both forms are built from the kanji 幸, which carries the core meaning of luck, fortune or blessing.
Which one should you use?
幸福 is a more formal, academic or abstract term for happiness compared to the everyday 幸せ.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 幸せ as an adjective to describe a noun, such as 'a happy life', you must add な to form 幸せな. To use 幸せ as an adverb, such as 'to live happily', you change it to 幸せに.
How do you pronounce it?
shiawase
Did you know?
- The word 幸せ stems from an old verb meaning 'to bring things together well' or 'to make things fit together'. This suggests that happiness is viewed as a state of harmony or things working together perfectly.
- Japanese culture often expresses happiness through the concept of 足るを知る (taru o shiru), which means 'to know when one has enough'. This frames happiness as a practice of contentment rather than the acquisition of more.
- The word 幸せ is frequently paired with the verb 噛み締める (kamishimeru), which means 'to chew thoroughly'. This creates a metaphor of 'chewing over' or savoring one's happiness.
Examples in context
- 幸福って何？What is happiness?This sentence uses the form 幸福 to ask for a definition of happiness.Tatoeba #423646 by bunbuku, translation #404565 by telsfbay
- 幸せは心の状態だ。Happiness is a state of mind.This sentence uses the form 幸せ to describe happiness as a state of mind.Tatoeba #10906862 by SomeHungryBois, translation #10501783 by CK
- 幸せって何だと思う？What do you think happiness is?This sentence uses the form 幸せ to ask for someone's opinion on the nature of happiness.Tatoeba #9942042 by small_snow, translation #9942297 by DJ_Saidez
- 私は幸福を感じています。 (Watashi wa koufuku o kanjiteimasu.)I am feeling happiness.
- この成功によって喜びを分かち合うことができます。 (Kono seikou ni yotte yorokobi o wakachi-au koto ga dekimasu.)We can share the joy because of this success.
- 新しい家具を手に入れてうれしい！ (Atarashii kagu o te ni irete ureshii!)I am happy to have gotten new furniture!
- 今日はとてもハッピーな気分だ！ (Kyou wa totemo happii na kibun da!)I am feeling really happy today!
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about life in a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは、幸せを感じる時は？Ren-san wa, shiawase o kanjiru toki wa?Ren, when do you feel happiness?
- 蓮 Ren美味しいものを食べている時かな。Oishii mono o tabete iru toki kana.I guess when I'm eating delicious food.
- 陽葵 Himari私も！それが一番の幸せだよ。Watashi mo! Sore ga ichiban no shiawase da yo.Me too! That is the greatest happiness.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんも、そう思う？Himari-san mo, sou omou?Do you think so too, Himari?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happiness” translations and entries 幸せ, 幸福, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 幸せ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
