Translation guide
Describes a lively, energetic, and cheerful mood or personality. Japanese expressions range from describing an upbeat mood to a naturally cheerful disposition.
Expressing that someone is in high spirits, feeling cheerful and energetic.
A common adjective meaning cheerful, lively, and merry. Can describe a person's mood or personality.
Describing actions or behavior that are lively, spirited, and full of energy.
Describing a horse that is lively, spirited, or frisky.
Used for a horse with a spirited or fiery temperament.
その馬は気性が激しい。
That horse is high-spirited.
陽気 (youki) emphasizes cheerfulness and a merry mood, while 元気 (genki) focuses on physical energy and vitality. A person can be 元気 without being particularly cheerful, but 陽気 implies a bright, happy disposition.
彼は元気だが、あまり陽気ではない。
He is energetic but not very high-spirited.
Avoid directly translating 'high-spirited' as 高い精神 (takai seishin). This is not natural Japanese and would be confusing.
彼はとても陽気な人だ。
He is a very high-spirited person.
今日は陽気な気分だ。
I'm feeling high-spirited today.
Literally 'full of energy', used to describe someone bursting with vitality and good spirits.
子供たちは元気いっぱい遊んでいる。
The children are playing high-spiritedly.
Means 'feeling good', often used for a cheerful, upbeat mood.
今日は気分がいい。
I'm in high spirits today.
Describes a cheerful, lively, and brisk personality. Slightly more formal or literary.
彼女は快活な性格だ。
She has a high-spirited personality.
Means bright, cheerful, and good-humored. Often used for a sunny disposition.
朗らかな笑顔が印象的だ。
His high-spirited smile is memorable.
Means active, lively, and vigorous. Often used for children or group activities.
子供たちは活発に遊んでいる。
The children are playing high-spiritedly.
Adverbial form meaning 'energetically' or 'in high spirits'.
彼は元気よく手を振った。
He waved high-spiritedly.
Describes being in high spirits with vigor and energy, sometimes with a connotation of being boisterous.
今日は威勢がいいね。
You're high-spirited today, aren't you?