How to say "pleasure" in Japanese

• 楽しみたのしみJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, na-adjectivePleasure as enjoyment or amusement: the fun of a hobby, a trip, or time with friends, and the feeling of looking forward to something. This is the everyday word for enjoyment.
  水泳すいえいが私の楽たのしみの１つです。↗

  Swimming is one thing I enjoy.
• 快楽かいらくCommon
  nounPleasure in the abstract, often with a bodily or indulgent shade — the pleasure people pursue or set against pain. It suits talk of pleasure as an idea more than casual enjoyment.
  快楽かいらくしか求もとめない人ひともいる。↗

  Some people pursue only pleasure.
• 快感かいかんCommon
  nounPleasure as a felt sensation, typically physical — the pleasant feeling a hot bath, a stretch, or relief can give. Choose it when 'pleasure' means the sensation itself rather than enjoyment of an activity.
  ノリもさる事ことながら、会場かいじょうと一体化いったいかしたような快感かいかんが忘わすれられない。↗

  I got really into it, and I just can't forget the exhilaration of becoming one with the audience.
• 興きょうCommon
  nounIts core meaning is interest or entertainment, and it is chiefly met in set expressions; for 'pleasure' itself it is seldom the word you want.
• 喜びよろこびJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounPleasure felt as joy or delight — a warm, often heartfelt response to good news, success, or a reunion. Choose it when the emotion is deep or expressive rather than light amusement.
  我々われわれはお互たがいに喜よろこびをわかちあった。↗

  We partook in each other's joy.

Choose 「楽しみ」 for enjoyment and anticipation, 「喜び」 for joy or delight, 快感 for a pleasant physical sensation, 快楽 for pleasure as an abstract or indulgent idea, and 興, which is really interest or entertainment rather than pleasure itself.

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

• 楽しみたのしみenjoyment
• 快楽かいらくpleasure
• 快感かいかんpleasant feeling
• 興きょうinterest
• 喜びよろこびjoy
• 娯楽ごらくamusement
• 歓楽かんらくpleasure
• プレジャーpleasure
• 愉楽ゆらくpleasure
• 快事かいじpleasure
• 快味かいみpleasure
• 欣喜きんきpleasure
• 快かいpleasure
• 享楽きょうらくenjoyment
• 愉悦ゆえつjoy
• 悦楽えつらくjoy
• お楽しみおたのしみenjoyment
• 娯遊ごゆうamusement
• 欣栄きんえいjoy and glory
• 歓かんjoy
• 逸楽いつらく(idle pursuit of) pleasure
• 遊びあそびpleasure
• 曲きょくenjoyment
• 法楽ほうらくpastime