How to say "merry" in Japanese

• メリーCommon
  prenominal modifierThe borrowed English word, familiar chiefly from the greeting メリークリスマス; it is not the word to describe a person or party as merry, so it is seldom what you want.
• 陽気ようきJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe word for the cheerful, jovial sense of merry: it describes a person of bright, fun-loving temperament and high spirits, rather than a lively scene.
  ナンシーはとても陽気ようきでかわいらしい性格せいかくだ。↗

  Nancy has a very lively and sweet temperament.
• 朗らかほがらかJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjectiveSuggests a bright, sunny cheerfulness — a clear smile or serene, open disposition. It fits when merry evokes warmth and brightness in a person's expression rather than noise or excitement.
  母ははは、のんきでほがらかでお人ひと好よしです。↗

  My mother is carefree, cheerful and good-natured.
• 賑やかにぎやかJLPT N5approx.Common
  na-adjectiveThe word for a merry occasion rather than a merry person: a party or gathering full of voices and activity. It can also shade into loud or noisy, so the bustling atmosphere is central.
  幕まくが上あがってにぎやかなカクテルパーティーの場面ばめんとなる。↗

  The curtain raised on a noisy cocktail party.

Use 陽気 for a cheerful, jovial person, 「朗らか」 for a bright, sunny smile or disposition, 「賑やか」 for a lively, merry party or scene, and 「メリー」 only in the greeting メリークリスマス.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• メリーmerry
• 陽気ようきcheerful
• 朗らかほがらかcheerful
• 嬉々ききmerry
• 賑々しいにぎにぎしいlively
• 機嫌きげんin a good mood
• 賑やかにぎやかlively (party, voices, etc.)
• ご機嫌ごきげんin a good mood