喜び
yorokobi[jo̞ɾo̞ko̞bʲi]
The Japanese word for 'joy' is 喜び (yorokobi).
喜び is a standard and straightforward term that expresses a general sense of happiness. Depending on the context of a sentence, it can be translated as joy, delight or pleasure.
Meaning: feeling of happiness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 喜び refers to the abstract feeling of joy, the adjective 嬉しい is used to express the immediate, subjective feeling of being happy or glad about a specific event.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 喜び is derived from the verb 喜ぶ, which means to rejoice or to feel joy.
How do you pronounce it?
yorokobi
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, intense 喜び is sometimes expressed through 泣き笑い, which describes the act of crying from happiness.
- The kanji used in 喜び, 喜, contains the radical for 'mouth' (口) at the bottom, suggesting that joy is something expressed through speech or a smile.
- The phrase 喜びを分かち合う (to share joy) is a common cultural ideal, reflecting the Japanese value of collective harmony over individual happiness.
Examples in context
- 彼は喜びに我を忘れた。He was beside himself with joy.This sentence shows how someone can be overcome by the feeling of 喜び.Tatoeba #108652 by arnab, translation #289376 by CM
- トムの顔は喜びに輝いた。Tom's face lit up with joy.This sentence describes a face lighting up due to 喜び.Tatoeba #2734206 by tommy_san, translation #2734281 by CM
- ボブは喜びに我を忘れた。Bob was beside himself with joy.This sentence illustrates another instance of being beside oneself with 喜び.Tatoeba #3450336 by arnab, translation #33156 by AlanF_US
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about their children's success.
- 結衣 Yui子供の成長は、親にとって大きな喜びですね。Kodomo no seichou wa, oya ni totte ookina yorokobi desu ne.A child's growth is a great joy for parents, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当に。毎日の喜びになります。Hontou ni. Mainichi no yorokobi ni narimasu.Truly. It becomes a joy every day.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんも、最近は幸せそうですね。Hiroto-san mo, saikin wa shiawasesou desu ne.You seem happy lately too, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい。家族の笑顔が一番の喜びです。Hai. Kazoku no egao ga ichiban no yorokobi desu.Yes. My family's smiles are my greatest joy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “joy” translations and entries 喜び, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
