のどか

の

ど

か

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Describes a scene, atmosphere, or state of mind that is quiet, gentle, and free from disturbance. Often used for peaceful natural settings or a relaxed mood.

のどかな田でん園えん風ふう景けいが広ひろがっている。
A tranquil rural landscape stretches out.
日にち曜よう日びの午ご後ご、のどかな気き分ぶんで本ほんを読よんだ。
On Sunday afternoon, I read a book in a peaceful mood.

na-adjective

mild; balmy

usually written using kana alone

Specifically for weather that is pleasantly mild, calm, and gentle, often with a sense of spring-like warmth.

今日きょうはのどかな春はるの一いち日にちだ。
Today is a mild spring day.

Usage patterns

のどかな〈場ば所しょ〉an idyllic, peaceful-looking place
この村むらはのどかな風ふう景けいで有ゆう名めいだ。
This village is famous for its peaceful, idyllic scenery.
のどかな天てん気きmild, pleasant weather
今日きょうはのどかな天てん気きで、散さん歩ぽには最さい高こうだ。
Today the weather is mild and pleasant, perfect for a walk.
のどかな〈時とき〉を過すごすto spend a leisurely, peaceful time
休きゅう日じつは田舎いなかでのどかな時じ間かんを過すごした。
On my day off, I spent a peaceful, leisurely time in the countryside.
のどかな気き分ぶんになるto feel calm and relaxed
広ひろい草そう原げんを見みるとのどかな気き分ぶんになる。
Looking at the vast grassland makes me feel calm and relaxed.

Kanji

長long, leader, superior
閑leisure

Related words

穏おだやかN3sense 1
穏やか is used more for a person's calm temperament or a calm sea, while のどか emphasizes a peaceful, leisurely atmosphere or mild weather.
うららか sense 2
麗らか describes bright, gentle spring sunshine specifically, whereas のどか covers mild weather more broadly as well as peaceful moods.
静しずかN5sense 1
静か simply means quiet, focusing on the absence of noise, while のどか adds a pleasant, unhurried calmness beyond mere silence.
平へい穏おんN1sense 1
平穏 is a more formal word for a stable, undisturbed state of affairs, while のどか has a softer, more everyday feel suited to scenery or mood.
のんびりN3sense 1
のんびり describes a person's relaxed, unhurried attitude or way of spending time, while のどか more often describes the calm quality of a scene or weather itself.

Opposites

慌あわただしいN3sense 1
慌ただしい describes a busy, hectic atmosphere, the direct opposite of the calm, leisurely feeling of のどか.
厳きびしいN4sense 2
厳しい describes harsh, severe weather, contrasting with the mild, gentle weather described by のどか.

Don't confuse with

のんきN3sense 1
呑気 describes a person's carefree, easygoing personality, while のどか describes the peaceful quality of a scene, mood, or weather, not a personal trait.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

のどかUsage85%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 長閑 is rare and literary.
長閑のどかUsage14%
Rare kanji form; the reading is a jukujikun. Learners should use the kana spelling.
長の閑どかUsage1%
search-only kanji form

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 長閑 are a jukujikun (meaning-based reading) and do not reflect the word's derivation.