Japanese Conversation · Level 14
90 words
Japanese word
にこやか
Pronunciation
Romajinikoyaka
Meaning
- na-adjectivesmiling
Example
先生はにこやかです。sen sei wa ni ko ya ka de su
The teacher is smiling.
More examples
店員は客ににこやかに話しかけました。ten in wa kyaku ni ni ko ya ka ni hana shi ka ke ma shi ta
The store clerk spoke cheerfully to the customer.
Core concept
Describes a person whose smile and manner appear warm, friendly, and openly cheerful.
Common phrases
にこやかな笑顔ni ko ya ka na e gao
a smiling face
にこやかに話すni ko ya ka ni hana su
speak cheerfully
Similar words
朗らかhogaraka: Describes a person whose mood and manner are openly cheerful and bright.
親しげshitashige: Describes a manner that appears friendly and inviting toward others.
和やかnagoyaka: Describes a calm, pleasant mood or manner that creates a peaceful atmosphere.
Definition in Japanese
人の表情や態度が、笑顔を見せていて親しみやすく明るいさま。hito no hyō jō ya tai do ga e gao o mi se te i te shita shi mi ya su ku aka ru i sa ma
Word origin
The native Japanese formation にこやか (nikoyaka) combines にこ (niko, "smiling") with やか (yaka, "having a quality"), a suffix that describes a noticeable state.
Usage tips
- Unlike にこにこ (nikoniko), which often depicts repeated or ongoing smiling, にこやか (nikoyaka) commonly describes a person's overall expression or manner.
Other meanings
- cheerfulna-adjective
- beamingna-adjective
Opposites
- 無愛想muaisounsociablena-adjective
Related words
- にこやかさnikoyakasacheerfulnessnoun