noun, na-adjective
full of energy; lively; vigorous
A yojijukugo describing a person or atmosphere that is bursting with vitality and cheerfulness. Often used in greetings, health contexts, and descriptions of spirited behavior.
彼はいつも元気はつらつとしている。
He is always full of energy.
元気はつらつな子どもたちが公園で遊んでいる。
Lively children are playing in the park.
元気 is a general word for health, energy, or cheerfulness. 元気はつらつ is a stronger, more emphatic yojijukugo that intensifies the sense of overflowing vitality.
活発 means active or lively, often used for behavior or activity. 元気はつらつ emphasizes a radiant, cheerful energy rather than just activity level.
A yojijukugo combining 元気 (genki, 'energy, vitality') and 溌剌 (hatsuratsu, 'lively, spirited'). 溌剌 itself is a reduplicative compound of 溌 (hatsu, 'splash, vigorous') and 剌 (ratsu, 'oppose, vigorous'), together conveying a sense of bursting vitality.