Japanese word

幸せ

Pronunciation

Romajishiawase

Meaning

  • nounhappiness
  • na-adjectivehappy

Example

小さな幸せを見つけます。chii sa na shiawa se o mi tsu ke ma su

I find small moments of happiness.

Illustration for 幸せ (happiness)

More examples

私は幸せです。watashi wa shiawa se de su

I am happy.

その知らせは、私に大きな幸せをもたらしました。so no shi ra se wa watashi ni ō ki na shiawa se o mo ta ra shi ma shi ta

That news brought me great happiness.

Core concept

Refers to the satisfying condition or good fortune that makes a person feel content with life.

Common phrases

  • 幸せになるshiawa se ni na ru

    become happy

  • 幸せを感じるshiawa se o kan ji ru

    feel happiness

  • 幸せを願うshiawa se o nega u

    wish for happiness

Similar words

幸福kōfuku: A lasting state of well-being and contentment.
喜びyorokobi: A feeling of pleasure or delight caused by something good.
満足manzoku: A feeling that one's needs or wishes have been met.

Definition in Japanese

心が満ち足りている状態や、恵みを受けたように感じる幸運。kokoro ga mi chi ta ri te i ru jō tai ya megu mi o u ke ta yō ni kan ji ru kō un

Word origin

幸せ (shiawase) is a native Japanese word derived from 仕合わせ (shiawase), originally meaning the way circumstances come together before acquiring its present sense of happiness.

Usage tips

  • The form 幸せな (shiawase na) means happy before a noun, as in 幸せな人 (shiawase na hito) for a happy person.

Other meanings

  • blessingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 幸せ者shiawasemonofortunate personnoun

Word lists with this word