Japanese word

楽観

Pronunciation

Romajirakkan

Meaning

  • nounoptimism

Example

彼は将来を楽観しています。kare wa shō rai o rak kan shi te i ma su

He is optimistic about the future.

Illustration for 楽観 (optimism)

More examples

その発言には楽観が感じられます。so no hatsu gen ni wa rak kan ga kan ji ra re ma su

His remark shows optimism.

Core concept

Treats an uncertain future or situation as likely to turn out well.

Common phrases

  • 楽観するrak kan su ru

    be optimistic

  • 楽観に傾くrak kan ni katamu ku

    lean toward optimism

  • 楽観を戒めるrak kan o imashi me ru

    warn against optimism

Similar words

楽天rakuten: A tendency to expect good results while giving little weight to possible problems.
希望的観測kibōtekikansoku: A hopeful expectation of success that lacks enough supporting evidence.
楽観論rakkanron: An opinion that focuses on the favorable possibilities in a situation.

Definition in Japanese

将来や物事の成り行きを、よい方向に進むものと考えること。shō rai ya mono goto no na ri yu ki o yo i hō kō ni susu mu mo no to kanga e ru ko to

Word origin

楽観 (rakkan) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 楽 (raku, "ease") and 観 (kan, "view"), describing a favorable way of viewing events.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 楽観 (rakkan) often appears in 楽観する (rakkansuru), while 楽観的 (rakkanteki) is used when English uses an adjective such as optimistic.

Opposites

Related words

  • 楽観的rakkantekioptimisticna-adjective
  • 楽観さrakkansaoptimismnoun

Word lists with this word