Meaning

Primary

Happiness

Word Type

noun, な adjective

Explanation

This is the noun version of the kanji . The kanji means happiness and the vocab word means happiness.

Compared to 幸福, 幸せ is more commonly used in everyday language and refers to a more immediate, personal sense of happiness or contentment.

Reading

しあわせ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

On your quest for true happiness, you meet a happiness guru. She always says (しあわせ), "just be happy!" She always says that, and you always listen. You can't believe how simple yet profound her approach is!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 幸せになる

    to become happy

    幸せになれる

    can become happy

    幸せにくらす

    to live happily

Context Sentences

末長くお幸せにね。

I wish you happiness for many years to come.

あなたに会えて、私、幸せだったよ。今までありがとう。

Meeting you made me happy. Thank you for everything.

「私はお金で幸せは買えると思います。私は花火を見ていると幸せな気持ちになるからです。もし私が大金持ちだったら、毎日花火を楽しんでずっと幸せな気持ちでいられることができます。」彼女は幸せそうな口調でそう言った。

"I think money can buy happiness because watching fireworks makes me happy. If I had a lot of money, I could enjoy fireworks every day and feel happy all the time," she said happily.

Kanji Composition