Japanese word

爽やか

Pronunciation

Romajisawayaka

Meaning

  • na-adjectiverefreshing

Example

朝の空気が爽やかです。asa no kū ki ga sawa ya ka de su

The morning air is refreshing.

Illustration for 爽やか (refreshing)

More examples

窓を開けると、部屋に爽やかな風が入ります。mado o a ke ru to heya ni sawa ya ka na kaze ga hai ri ma su

When I open the window, a refreshing breeze comes into the room.

Core concept

It expresses a pleasant sense of freshness created by lightness, clarity, and the absence of heaviness.

Common phrases

  • 爽やかな風sawa ya ka na kaze

    a refreshing breeze

  • 爽やかな香りsawa ya ka na kao ri

    a fresh scent

  • 爽やかな気分sawa ya ka na ki bun

    a refreshing feeling

Similar words

清々しいsugasugashii: It describes a pleasantly fresh quality with a sense of clarity.
爽快sōkai: It describes a fresh and invigorating feeling in the body or mind.
朗らかhogaraka: It describes a bright and friendly manner or personality.

Definition in Japanese

湿気や重苦しさがなく、すっきりと心地よいさま。人の印象にも用いる。shik ke ya omo kuru shi sa ga na ku su kki ri to kokochi yo i sa ma hito no in shō ni mo mochi i ru

Word origin

The adjective 爽やか (sawayaka, "refreshing") developed from the native Japanese verb 爽やぐ (sawayagu, "to feel refreshed"), which describes becoming refreshed.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English fresh, 爽やか (sawayaka) often describes a pleasant person's manner or appearance, not only air, weather, or food.

Other meanings

  • freshna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 爽やかさsawayakasafreshnessnoun

Word lists with this word