楽しげ・愉しげ|たのしげtanoshige
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
楽しげ楽しげ is the most common written form, using kanji and kana; for learners, this is the form to choose by default.
愉しげ愉しげ is a less common written variant, also using kanji and kana. You may encounter it, but it is not the usual choice for beginners.
Definitions
- na-adjectivehappy; cheerful; pleasant
Conjugation
| Plain form | 楽しげ（たのしげ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 楽しげです（たのしげです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 楽しげではない（たのしげではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 楽しげではありません（たのしげではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 楽しげだった（たのしげだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 楽しげではなかった（たのしげではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 楽しげで（たのしげで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 楽しげに（たのしげに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 楽しげなら（たのしげなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym楽しいたのしいNeutralThe everyday default: things are fun or you actually feel happy. 「楽しげ」 is about looking happy, and works for people, voices and music alike.
- Synonym愉快ゆかいNeutralAbout feeling lighthearted and cheerful; can also call a person fun. The feeling itself, not something you read off someone's face.
- Synonym陽気ようきNeutralCheerful and lively — a bubbly personality or high spirits, as in 「陽気に笑う」; also means weather or season.
- Synonym朗らかほがらかNeutralBright and untroubled, as in 「朗らかな笑顔」; leans toward personality, and can also describe a cloudless sky.
- SynonymハッピーCasualColloquial loanword with a light, playful feel; common in greetings and casual settings; does not stress appearance.
- Synonymご機嫌ごきげんCasualColloquial: in high spirits, as in 「ご機嫌な様子」; also the polite way to say 「機嫌」 (one's mood).
- Related喜ばしいよろこばしいWrittenWritten and formal: describes welcome results worth celebrating, as in 「喜ばしい知らせ」; it does not describe anyone's looks or expression.
- Related嬉しいうれしいNeutralEveryday word for the joy of a wish coming true — a subjective feeling, whereas 「楽しげ」 is the impression others get from the outside.
- Related幸せしあわせNeutralHappiness: a blessed lot and deep contentment. A state deeper and more lasting than 「楽しげ」, and not specifically about outward appearance.
- Related快活かいかつWrittenWritten word for brisk, energetic cheerfulness; points to a personality, not a momentary happy look.
- Related幸福こうふくWrittenWritten and formal: happiness as a state of inner fulfilment; more formal than 「幸せ」 and not about a happy appearance.
- Related明るいあかるいNeutralFar broader than 「楽しげ」: bright light and vivid colours, plus a cheerful personality or atmosphere.
- RelatedうららかWrittenWritten: mild, sunny spring days or bright moods and voices; mostly scenery, not specifically people looking happy.
- RelatedうららWrittenWritten, a shorter form of 「麗らか」; mostly in 「春うらら」 for scenery, and does not describe expressions.
- Antonym悲しげかなしげNeutralAntonym: looking sad. The contrast with 「楽しげ」 lies in the emotion that shows on the outside.
- Antonym辛げNeutralAntonym: looking pained or in distress; opposite of 「楽しげ」 in the emotion visible on the outside.
Use 「楽しげ」 for people or things that look happy, as in 「楽しげに笑う」「楽しげな音楽」. For actually feeling happy say 「楽しい」 or 「嬉しい」; for deep contentment 「幸せ」. 「悲しげ」 is the opposite look. Others here cover specific shades: celebratory news (「喜ばしい」), lively personalities (「陽気」「快活」「朗らか」), moods (「ご機嫌」), and scenery (「麗らか」).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
