楽 means “music, comfort”

がく · gaku

Also: ease

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

たのしい, たのしむ, このむ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ガク, ラク, ゴウ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 13 strokes

The story

White (白) silk strings stretched over a wooden frame (木): the ancient character shows a stringed instrument. 楽 beautifully merges two meanings: music and pleasure, because in Japanese philosophy, music IS comfort. The word 楽しい (tanoshii, fun) shares this root.

Used in 音楽 (ongaku, music), 楽器 (gakki, instrument), and 楽しい (tanoshii, fun/enjoyable)

Words with 楽

• 音楽 (おんがく, ongaku): music

More from Music & Arts

• 踊 dance
• 奏 play (music)
• 劇 drama
• 画 painting
• 彫 carve
• 詩 poetry
• 拍 rhythm
• 弦 string (instrument)
• 笛 flute
• 鼓 drum
• 音 sound
• 曲 melody

Learn 楽 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.