Japanese word of the day: 楽しい (Tanoshii)

What does 楽しい (Tanoshii) mean?

楽しい (Tanoshii) (い-adjective) – Fun; enjoyable; pleasant; delightful. This word describes the positive, cheerful feeling you get when you’re doing something you like or having a good time. It’s the word you’ll use to talk about hobbies, events, or days that bring you happiness and enjoyment.

Kanji details for 楽

Character: 楽 — music, comfort, ease
Radical: tree 木

Example sentences with 楽しい (Tanoshii)

• 旅行はとても楽しかったです。
  (Ryokou wa totemo tanoshikatta desu.)
  ✈️ The trip was a lot of fun.

• 今日は楽しい一日でした。
  (Kyou wa tanoshii ichinichi deshita.)
  🌞 Today was a fun day.

• 友達と話すのは楽しいです。
  (Tomodachi to hanasu no wa tanoshii desu.)
  🗣️ Talking with friends is enjoyable.

楽しい (Tanoshii) in context

楽しい is one of the most common and positive adjectives in Japanese, used to describe any activity or experience that brings happiness or enjoyment. It’s different from 嬉しい (ureshii, “happy/glad”), which refers to a feeling of happiness caused by a specific event or outcome. 楽しい, on the other hand, is about the process and the fun you have while doing something, whether it’s a hobby, a trip, or just everyday life.

You’ll see 楽しい in phrases like “楽しい思い出” (happy memories), “楽しい時間” (enjoyable time), and “楽しそう” (looks fun). It’s a word that instantly brightens conversations and helps you share your enthusiasm.

A quick tip: When describing something as “fun,” 楽しい is your best choice. For expressing gratitude or excitement about a result, use 嬉しい (ureshii). Mastering both will help you sound more natural and expressive in Japanese.