Translation guide
The English word "joy" can be expressed in Japanese through several nouns and adjectives that describe happiness, delight, and pleasure. The most common and versatile word is 喜び (yorokobi), which covers both the feeling of joy and the act of rejoicing. Other words like 楽しみ (tanoshimi) emphasize enjoyment and anticipation, while 嬉しさ (ureshisa) focuses on the gladness felt in a specific moment. This guide helps you choose the right word based on the nuance you want to convey.
Expressing a deep feeling of happiness, often from a meaningful event or achievement.
The most common and versatile word for 'joy'. It can refer to the emotion itself or the act of expressing happiness. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Her face was glowing with joy.
To share joy.
A more intense, often collective joy or exultation. Common in written language or formal contexts.
The city was filled with joy at the news of the victory.
A literary term for deep joy or delight. Rare in everyday speech.
He couldn't hide his inner joy.
Expressing joy derived from an activity, experience, or anticipation of something pleasant.
Expressing a personal, often momentary feeling of happiness or gladness, like being pleased about something.
The noun form of the adjective 嬉しい (ureshii), meaning gladness or happiness. Focuses on the subjective feeling of being happy about a specific thing.
I'll never forget the joy I felt when I received the present.
I feel joy at his success as if it were my own.
Can also be used for personal gladness, but 嬉しさ is more specifically about the warm, personal feeling.
Describing someone or something that brings joy.
Use the pattern [person/thing] + の喜び to mean 'the joy of [person/thing]' or 'my joy'. Often used for children, pets, or hobbies.
My children are my joy.
Gardening is his joy.
Also used for something that gives pleasure, especially something you look forward to.
These three words all translate to 'joy' but have different nuances. 喜び is the broadest, covering deep happiness, rejoicing, and the joy found in meaningful activities. 楽しみ emphasizes enjoyment, fun, and anticipation. 嬉しさ is the noun form of 'glad' and focuses on the warm, personal feeling of happiness in response to a specific event. Use 喜び for profound or lasting joy, 楽しみ for pleasurable experiences, and 嬉しさ for momentary gladness.
The loanword ジョイ (joi) exists but is not commonly used for the emotion of joy. It appears mainly in product names (e.g., Joy detergent) or as a proper noun. Using it to express the feeling of joy would sound unnatural.
To find joy in life.
料理を作る喜び。
The joy of cooking.
小さな喜びを大切にする。
To cherish small joys.
週末の映画が私の楽しみです。
Weekend movies are my joy.