盛ん・旺ん・壮ん|さかんsakan[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
盛ん盛ん is the most common written form and the recommended default for beginners. Use it when writing the word unless you have a specific reason to reproduce another form.
旺ん旺ん is a rarely used written variant. You may encounter it, but learners should normally choose 盛ん instead.
壮ん壮ん is a rarely used written variant. You may encounter it, but learners should normally choose 盛ん instead.
Definitions
- na-adjectiveprosperous; flourishing; thriving; successful
- na-adjectivepopular; widespread
- na-adjectiveactive; lively; energetic; vigorous; brisk; strong
- na-adjectiveenthusiastic; eager; hearty; frequent; repeated
Conjugation
| Plain form | 盛ん（さかん） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 盛んです（さかんです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 盛んではない（さかんではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 盛んではありません（さかんではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 盛んだった（さかんだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 盛んではなかった（さかんではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 盛んで（さかんで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 盛んに（さかんに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 盛んなら（さかんなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym活発かっぱつNeutralLively and active — fits people, discussions, the economy, as in 「活発な子供」「議論が活発だ」. 「盛ん」 stresses thriving and strong momentum.
- Related元気げんきCasualColloquial; healthy and full of energy, as in 「元気な子供」. It focuses on a person's own state.
- RelatedアクティブCasualA colloquial loanword for being positive and active, as in 「アクティブな性格」.
- Related積極的せっきょくてきNeutralProactive and positive, as in 「積極的に発言する」; the emphasis is on taking initiative oneself.
- Related気鋭きえいWrittenWritten/formal prose; brimming with keen, spirited drive, as in 「新進気鋭の作家」.
- RelatedエネルギッシュCasualA colloquial loanword for someone bursting with energy, as in 「エネルギッシュな人」.
- Related快活かいかつNeutralDescribes a cheerful, lighthearted personality, as in 「快活な少女」.
- Related賑やかにぎやかNeutralBustling and lively, as in 「賑やかな街」; the stress is on crowds and noise.
- Related能動的のうどうてきWrittenWritten/formal prose; acting on one's own, the opposite of 「受動的」.
- RelatedダイナミックCasualA colloquial loanword for something dynamic and full of drive, as in 「ダイナミックな演技」.
- Related活動的かつどうてきNeutralActive and on the go; fits people and lifestyles alike, as in 「活動的な人」「活動的な生活」. 「盛ん」 can also describe a business or activity that is thriving.
- Related精力的せいりょくてきWrittenWritten/formal prose; describes tackling work with abundant energy, as in 「精力的に働く」.
- RelatedぴちぴちCasualA colloquial mimetic word for fish thrashing about or youthful vivacity, as in 「ぴちぴちの新人」.
- RelatedかいがいしいWrittenWritten/formal prose; brisk, diligent and efficient, as in 「甲斐甲斐しく働く」.
- Related敏活びんかつWrittenWritten/formal prose; quick and nimble, as in 「敏活に対応する」.
- Related殷賑いんしんWrittenWritten/formal prose for the bustle and prosperity of a town, as in 「殷賑を極める」.
- Related進取的しんしゅてきWrittenWritten/formal prose; enterprising, as in 「進取的な気風」.
- Related賑々しいにぎにぎしいWrittenWritten/formal prose; extremely lively and festive, as in 「賑々しく開店する」.
- Related行動的こうどうてきNeutralDescribes someone with strong drive to act, as in 「行動的な人」; the stress is on actually doing things.
- Antonym衰退すいたいNeutralThe standard antonym: decline or waning, as in 「産業の衰退」.
- Antonym沈滞ちんたいWrittenWritten/formal prose; stagnation, with activity stalled and no liveliness.
- Antonym不活発ふかっぱつNeutralAntonym of 「盛ん」: inactive and sluggish, as in 「不活発な市場」.
- Antonym衰微すいびWrittenWritten/formal prose; the waning and decline of something once prosperous.
For something flourishing or in full swing — a business, trade, or activity — 「盛ん」 is the default. Use 「活発」 for lively people, discussions or markets, 「賑やか」 for bustling, noisy places, 「元気」 or 「エネルギッシュ」 for an energetic person, 「積極的」 for a proactive stance, and 「殷賑」 in formal prose for a prosperous, bustling town. When the sense is the opposite of 「盛ん」, reach for 「衰退」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
