Translation guide
The English phrase 'joys and sorrows' refers to the full range of human emotions, encompassing both happiness and sadness. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through set phrases, idiomatic expressions, or by describing the ups and downs of life. The most natural equivalent depends on context: whether you are speaking philosophically, describing a personal experience, or using a literary tone.
Expressing the idea of both happiness and sadness as part of life, often in a reflective or philosophical context.
A four-character compound literally meaning 'joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure.' It is the most common and natural way to express the full spectrum of human emotions, similar to 'joys and sorrows' but broader. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
人生には喜怒哀楽がつきものだ。
Life is full of joys and sorrows.
彼は喜怒哀楽を素直に表現する。
He openly expresses his joys and sorrows.
A literary phrase meaning 'joys and sorrows intermingled' or 'mixed feelings of happiness and sadness.' It emphasizes the coexistence of contrasting emotions, often used in formal or written contexts.
卒業式は悲喜こもごもの思いでいっぱいだった。
The graduation ceremony was filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
A compound meaning 'pleasure and pain' or 'hardships and joys.' It often refers to shared experiences of ups and downs, especially in relationships or long-term endeavors.
苦楽を共にした仲間
friends who have shared joys and sorrows
A four-character idiom meaning 'alternating between joy and sorrow' or 'being elated one moment and worried the next.' It describes a state of emotional fluctuation, often in response to changing circumstances.
株価の変動に一喜一憂する。
He alternates between joy and sorrow with every fluctuation of stock prices.
Describing the bond formed by going through both good and bad times together.
A common phrase meaning 'to share joys and sorrows' or 'to go through thick and thin together.' It emphasizes mutual support and shared experiences.
私たちは長年苦楽を共にしてきた。
We have shared joys and sorrows for many years.
A more explicit and emotional expression meaning 'to share both joy and sorrow.' It is natural in personal conversations or heartfelt speeches.
友達とは喜びも悲しみも分かち合える関係だ。
A true friend is someone with whom you can share both joys and sorrows.
Referring to the alternating periods of happiness and sadness that characterize human existence.
Literally 'the ups and downs of life.' A very common and natural way to describe life's vicissitudes, including both joyful and sorrowful times.
人生の浮き沈みを経験して強くなった。
I became stronger after experiencing the joys and sorrows of life.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'there are mountains and valleys,' i.e., life has its ups and downs. It is casual and often used in conversation.
人生は山あり谷ありだ。
Life has its joys and sorrows.
喜怒哀楽 is the most general and widely used term for the full range of human emotions. It is neutral and can be used in everyday conversation. 悲喜こもごも is more literary and specifically emphasizes the intermingling of joy and sorrow, often in a single event or moment.
喜怒哀楽のある人生
a life with its joys and sorrows
悲喜こもごもの卒業式
a graduation ceremony of mixed joy and sorrow
Directly translating 'joys and sorrows' as 喜びと悲しみ (yorokobi to kanashimi) is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural and overly literal in most contexts. It is better to use established phrases like 喜怒哀楽 or 苦楽, or to rephrase the sentence to describe the situation naturally.
私たちは二十年間苦楽を共にしてきた。
We have shared joys and sorrows for twenty years.
その小説は若い芸術家の喜怒哀楽を描いている。
The novel depicts the joys and sorrows of a young artist.