楽
music, comfort, ease
Readings
On'yomi
- ガク
- ラク
- ゴウ
Kun'yomi
- たの.しい
- たの.しむ
- この.む
Nanori
- さ
- た
- やす
- ら
Meaning
楽 centers on a state of ease and enjoyment: comfort, pleasure, and the delight found in music.
Most common words using 楽
24 of 457- 楽しいたのしいN5
enjoyable; fun; pleasant; happy; delightful
- 音楽おんがくN5
music
- 楽しみたのしみN4
enjoyment; pleasure; amusement; delight; joy; fun; diversion; hobby
- 楽らくN4
comfort; ease; relief; (at) peace; relaxation
- 倶楽部クラブN3
club; fraternity; sorority; clubhouse
- 楽しむたのしむN4
to enjoy; to take pleasure in; to have a good time; to have fun; to amuse oneself
- 楽曲がっきょく
musical composition; tune
- 楽器がっきN2
musical instrument
- 気楽きらくN2
carefree; comfortable; at ease
- 楽園らくえん
paradise; Eden
- 快楽かいらくN1
pleasure
- 娯楽ごらくN2
amusement; entertainment; recreation; pleasure; pastime; hobby
- 楽譜がくふN1
score; sheet music
- ファン倶楽部ファンクラブ
fan club
- 神楽かぐら
kagura; traditional Shinto music and dancing
- 洋楽ようがく
Western music; European music
- 楽観らっかんN1
optimism; taking an optimistic view
- 楽団がくだん
orchestra; band
- 楽屋がくや
dressing room; green room; backstage
- 邦楽ほうがく
Japanese music (esp. traditional Japanese music)
- 音楽家おんがくか
musician
- 千秋楽せんしゅうらく
final day of a performance; closing date; final show
- 楽章がくしょう
movement
- 管弦楽かんげんがく
orchestral music
Study
Etymology
楽 is the modern simplified form of 樂, which originally depicted a stringed musical instrument on a wooden stand. The association with comfort and ease likely developed from the enjoyment of music.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 白 suggests a bright, clear sound, and 木 is a wooden instrument. Together they make music, which brings comfort and ease.
Reading mnemonic
For ガク, imagine a gak (a made-up word for a cheerful musical note) played on a wooden instrument: gak -> ガク, and the sound fills the room with comfort.