Translation guide
Expressing great pleasure or satisfaction. In Japanese, this feeling is often conveyed through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that indicate happiness, joy, or being pleased. The choice depends on formality, intensity, and whether the delight is a reaction to something specific.
Express a general state of being delighted or very happy.
The most common and versatile word for expressing happiness or delight about something. Used for personal joy, often in response to good news or events.
I'm delighted to meet you.
I was delighted to receive the present.
A verb meaning 'to be delighted' or 'to rejoice'. Often used when someone shows visible happiness or when describing someone else's delight.
He was delighted to hear the news.
A noun meaning 'great delight' or 'overjoyed'. Used to emphasize a high degree of happiness.
The children were delighted with the presents.
Express that something specific causes delight.
Express delight in formal situations, such as business or with superiors.
Literally 'it is an honor'. Used to express delighted and honored feelings in formal contexts, such as receiving an award or invitation.
I am delighted to be invited.
A very formal and humble way to say 'I am delighted'. Used in written correspondence or formal speeches.
We are delighted that you are able to attend.
Express willingness or pleasure in doing something.
Pattern meaning 'to do something with delight' or 'gladly'. Often used when offering help or accepting an invitation.
I'd be delighted to help.
I would be delighted to participate.
Express extreme delight or ecstasy.
A noun meaning 'ecstasy' or 'seventh heaven'. Used to describe someone who is beside themselves with delight.
He is delighted beyond measure with his success.
Literally 'to soar up'. Idiomatically means to be so delighted that one is walking on air.
嬉しい (ureshii) is used for momentary happiness or delight caused by a specific event or thing. 楽しい (tanoshii) describes an enjoyable experience or atmosphere over time. For example, a party is 楽しい, but receiving a gift at the party is 嬉しい.
Avoid directly translating 'delighted' as a single adjective in all contexts. Japanese often uses verbs like 喜ぶ or phrases like 嬉しく思う to convey the same feeling naturally.
I was absolutely delighted by the news of passing.