Fun, Enjoyment, Comfort
たの(しい) (tanoshii), たの(しむ) (tanoshimu)
Interesting Fact
🎵 The kanji 楽 originally referred to music performed in ancient royal courts. People believed music brought happiness, peace, and comfort to everyone listening. Over time, the meaning naturally expanded from "music" to "enjoyment" and eventually to "comfort." Even today, 音楽 (ongaku) means "music," while 楽しい (tanoshii) means "fun."
Memory Trick
💃 Imagine a graceful ballerina with four arms instead of two. As beautiful music begins to play, all four hands move elegantly while she spins across the stage. Her joyful dance reminds you that 楽 means "fun" and "music."
Readings
Onyomi: ガク (gaku), ラク (raku)
Kunyomi: たの(しい) (tanoshii), たの(しむ) (tanoshimu)
Example Words
Example Sentence
昨日の パーティーは とても 楽しかったです。
きのうの パーティーは とても たのしかったです。
kinou no paatii wa totemo tanoshikatta desu
Yesterday's party was very fun.