German word

Lebensfreude

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈleːbn̩sˌfʁɔʏ̯də/

Meaning

  • feminine nounzest for life

Example

Die kleinen Lebensfreuden machen den Alltag schön.

The little joys of life make everyday life beautiful.

Illustration for Lebensfreude (zest for life)

More examples

Sie versucht, trotz Stress viel Lebensfreude zu bewahren.

She tries to maintain plenty of zest for life despite the stress.

Core concept

A person meets everyday life with bright energy instead of merely enjoying one isolated event.

Common phrases

  • viel Lebensfreude

    plenty of zest for life

  • Lebensfreude zeigen

    demonstrate zest for life

Similar words

Freude: A sudden feeling of happiness arising in a particular moment.
Glück: A fulfilled sense of happiness about life or events as a whole.
Zufriedenheit: A calm sense of contentment with current circumstances.
Vergnügen: Enjoyment gained from brief experiences or playful activities.

Definition in German

Die frohe, aktive Freude am Leben und an den alltäglichen Momenten.

Word origin

The word is built from Leben, 'life', and Freude, 'joy'; German compounds join these nouns as Lebensfreude.

Usage tips

  • Lebensfreude commonly occurs with haben, zeigen, ausstrahlen, and voller Lebensfreude sein, which describe possession or outward expression.

Other meanings

  • simple pleasuresnoun

Opposites

  • Lebensmüdigkeitweariness with lifenoun
  • Freudlosigkeitlack of joynoun

Related words

  • lebensfrohenjoying lifeadjective
  • lebensfreudigfull of joie de vivreadjective

Word lists with this word