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やか Japanese meaning | Kotomora

やか

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

suffix

-like; seeming very ...; just like ...

Productive suffix that attaches to nouns, adjective stems, or mimetic words to form na-adjectives expressing a quality or state. Often adds a poetic or emphatic nuance. Common examples include しめやか (quiet and solemn), 華やか (gorgeous), にぎやか (lively), and さわやか (refreshing).

See also: しめやか · 華やか

「しめやか」の「やか」は、静しずかで落おち着ついた様よう子すを表あらわす接せつ尾び辞じです。
The やか in しめやか is a suffix that expresses a quiet and solemn state.
「華はなやか」や「にぎやか」のように、やかで終おわる形けい容よう動どう詞しはたくさんあります。
There are many na-adjectives ending in やか, like 華やか (gorgeous) and にぎやか (lively).

Similar words

らしい
らしい also means '-like' but attaches to nouns to express typical characteristics or hearsay, while やか forms na-adjectives from various stems with a more inherent quality nuance.
的てき
的 (-teki) is a Sino-Japanese suffix meaning '-like' or '-ical', often more formal and abstract, while やか is native Japanese and tends to be more sensory or emotive.

Etymology

The exact origin is uncertain. It is a native Japanese suffix that likely developed from an old adjectival ending, now used to form na-adjectives from various stems.