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Kotomora

楽

music, comfort, ease

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 500Strokes13

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

Explore all words using 楽 →

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.