Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'great joy' depends on the intensity, formality, and context. Common words range from everyday happiness to profound, literary delight.
Expressing a strong feeling of happiness or delight in everyday or slightly formal contexts.
A very common and natural way to say 'great joy' or 'delight'. It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (大喜びする).
He was overjoyed at the news.
The children were delighted to receive the presents.
A more formal or literary term for 'great joy' or 'exultation'. Often used in written language or formal speeches.
At the moment of victory, the stadium was filled with great joy.
An emphatic version of 歓喜, meaning 'great rejoicing'. Very formal or literary, often used in religious or poetic contexts.
The news brought great rejoicing to the people.
Expressing a deep, often spiritual or emotional state of great joy or bliss.
A somewhat literary word for 'joy' or 'delight', often implying a deep, heartfelt emotion. Can be used in formal writing.
An expression of great joy appeared on his face.
Means 'supreme bliss' or 'beatitude'. Often used to describe a state of perfect happiness, sometimes in spiritual or romantic contexts.
A rare, religious term for 'religious ecstasy' or 'spiritual joy'. Used in Buddhist or mystical contexts.
Expressing great joy in the context of a celebration or festive mood.
Refers to 'pleasure' or 'merrymaking', often in a festive or entertainment context. Can imply worldly pleasures.
We spent a night in the pleasure district.
A phrase meaning 'filled with joy'. It can modify nouns to describe a joyful atmosphere, expression, etc.
a smile filled with great joy
大喜び is everyday language for being overjoyed, while 歓喜 is more formal and often used in writing or speeches to describe collective joy or exultation.
Directly translating 'great joy' as 大きい喜び is unnatural. Use established words like 大喜び or phrases like 大きな喜び (which is acceptable but less common than 大喜び).
It was a moment of great joy.
She felt great joy when she saw her child.
その音楽は至福のひとときを与えてくれた。
The music gave me a moment of supreme bliss.
修行の末に法悦の境地に達した。
After training, he reached a state of religious ecstasy.
The venue was filled with an atmosphere of great joy.