Translation guide
To make someone feel happier, more hopeful, or more energetic. Japanese expressions vary by whether you are cheering someone up, lifting their mood, or giving them encouragement.
To make a sad or downcast person feel happier, often through kind words or actions.
A common, versatile verb meaning to cheer someone up or lift their spirits. Can be used in many situations.
友達を元気づけるために、花を買った。
I bought flowers to cheer up my friend.
彼女の言葉が私を元気づけてくれた。
Her words raised my spirits.
To encourage or cheer someone up, often with words of support. Slightly more focused on emotional encouragement.
落ち込んでいる友達を励ました。
I cheered up my friend who was feeling down.
彼はいつも私を励ましてくれる。
He always raises my spirits.
Literally 'raise one's mood'. Casual and commonly used for lifting someone's spirits, often through fun activities or music.
この曲を聞くと気分が上がる。
This song raises my spirits.
友達と話して気分を上げた。
Talking with my friend lifted my mood.
To inspire hope or courage in someone who is discouraged or facing difficulties.
To give courage or hearten someone. Stronger than just cheering up; implies instilling bravery.
彼の成功が私を勇気づけた。
His success raised my spirits and gave me courage.
先生の言葉に勇気づけられた。
I was encouraged by the teacher's words.
Literally 'give hope'. More formal and often used in serious contexts.
その知らせは患者たちに希望を与えた。
The news raised the patients' spirits.
To make a group or situation more lively and energetic, raising everyone's spirits.
To liven up a place or event. Used for parties, gatherings, or meetings.
彼の冗談が場を盛り上げた。
His jokes raised everyone's spirits.
音楽でパーティーを盛り上げよう。
Let's liven up the party with music.
To brighten the mood or atmosphere. Slightly more formal.
彼女の笑顔が雰囲気を明るくした。
Her smile raised the spirits of the room.
To soothe or console someone who is upset, thereby lifting their spirits.
To comfort or console. Focuses on easing sadness or pain.
泣いている子供を慰めた。
I comforted the crying child and raised his spirits.
彼女の優しい言葉が私を慰めてくれた。
Her kind words comforted me and lifted my spirits.
Both mean to cheer someone up, but 元気づける is more about restoring energy and mood, while 励ます emphasizes encouragement and support. 元気づける can be done through actions or words, while 励ます is primarily verbal.
友達を元気づけるために、一緒に映画を見た。
To cheer up my friend, we watched a movie together.
試験に落ちた友達を励ました。
I encouraged my friend who failed the exam.
Avoid directly translating 'raise someone's spirits' as 精神を上げる or similar. These sound unnatural. Use the expressions above instead.