樂

See also: 乐 and 楽

樂	U+6A02, 樂 CJK UNIFIED IDEOGRAPH-6A02

← 樁
[U+6A01]

CJK Unified Ideographs

樃 →
[U+6A03]

樂	U+F914, 樂 CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F914

← 邏
[U+F913]

CJK Compatibility Ideographs

洛 →
[U+F915]

樂	U+F95C, 樂 CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F95C

← 拏
[U+F95B]

CJK Compatibility Ideographs

諾 →
[U+F95D]

樂	U+F9BF, 樂 CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F9BF

← 料
[U+F9BE]

CJK Compatibility Ideographs

燎 →
[U+F9C0]

Translingual

Traditional	樂
Shinjitai	楽
Simplified	乐

Alternative forms

In mainland China (for its traditional form based on Xin Zixing 新字形), Japanese kanji, Korean hanja and Vietnamese Nôm, the bottom component is written 木, which is the historical form found in the Kangxi dictionary.
In Taiwan and Hong Kong (based on the Big5 encoding standard), the bottom component is written 朩 without a hook instead.
Three CJK compatibility ideographs exist at U+F914, U+F95C and U+F9BF. All three forms are the same as the form used in Korean hanja.

Han character

樂 (Kangxi radical 75, 木+11, 15 strokes, cangjie input 女戈木 (VID), four-corner 2290₄, composition ⿱⿲幺白幺木(GHJKV) or ⿱⿲幺白幺⿻十八(T))

Derived characters

嚛(𪠸), 㜰, 㦡, 擽(𭢫/㧰), 濼(泺), 䑈, 櫟(檪/栎), 爍(𭶒/烁), 瓅(𬍛), 皪, 䁻(䀥), 礫(䃯/砾), 纅, 觻, 䟏, 躒(跞), 轢(𮝩/轹), 䤕, 鑠(𮣏/铄), 鱳, 藥(薬/𣛙)
𠘙, 𡾒, 𣋵, 𤢴, 𥽗, 𦘈, 𧔉, 𧭥, 𩟧, 𩧂, 𣡝, 𪇱, 𤻲(𬏤)
𭀅, 𫿾

Related characters

楽 (Japanese shinjitai)
乐 (Simplified Chinese)

References

Kangxi Dictionary: page 548, character 20
Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 15399
Dae Jaweon: page 936, character 6
Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 2, page 1280, character 16
Unihan data for U+6A02

Unihan data for U+F914

Unihan data for U+F95C

Unihan data for U+F9BF

Chinese

trad.		樂
simp.		乐
alternative forms		楽

Wikipedia has articles on:

樂 (Written Standard Chinese^?)
樂 (Cantonese)

Glyph origin

Historical forms of the character 樂
Shang	Western Zhou	Spring and Autumn	Warring States			Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han)	Liushutong (compiled in Ming)
Oracle bone script	Bronze inscriptions	Bronze inscriptions	Bronze inscriptions	Chu slip and silk script	Qin slip script	Small seal script	Transcribed ancient scripts

Characters in the same phonetic series (樂) (Zhengzhang, 2003)

	Old Chinese
樂	ŋraːwɢs, raːwɢ, *ŋraːwɢ
轢	raːd, raːwɢ, *reːwɢ
濼	pqʰlaːwɢ, raːwɢ, reːwɢ, pqʰloːwɢ, roːwɢ, roːwɢ
躒	raːwɢ, reːwɢ
擽	rawɢ, reːwɢ
爍	*qʰljawɢ
鑠	*qʰljawɢ
藥	*lawɢ
櫟	lawɢ, reːwɢ
纅	*lawɢ
礫	*reːwɢ
瓅	*reːwɢ
皪	*reːwɢ
觻	reːwɢ, roːwɢ
嚛	qʰloːwɢ, qʰloːwɢ

Ideogrammic compound (會意／会意) : 糸 (“string”) + 木 (“wood”) – strings on a piece of wood, i.e. a wooden musical instrument.

The oracle bone form shows two strings connected to the wood. In the bronze inscriptions, a 白 (OC *braːɡ) component was added in between the two strings, which may either represent the thumb (fiddling) or a phonetic part.

Etymology

“music; joyful”: The etymological relationship between “music” and “joy” has been discussed in Wulff (1935) and Unger (1983). Unger draws comparison with the following semantic parallelism in Tibetan: རོལ་མོ (rol mo, “music”) and རོལ (rol, “to enjoy; to amuse oneself; to play”).; Also comparable is Middle Khmer leṅa (“to play”) and bhleṅa (“(playing) music”), whence Thai เล่น (lên, “to play”) and เพลง (pleeng, “music”).

Pronunciation 1

Mandarin
(Standard)
(Pinyin): yuè (yue⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄩㄝˋ

(Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): йүә (yüə, III)
Cantonese
(Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): ngok⁶

(Taishan, Wiktionary): ngok⁵
Gan (Wiktionary): ngoh⁶
Hakka
(Sixian, PFS): ngo̍k

(Meixian, Guangdong): ngog⁶
Jin (Wiktionary): yeh⁴
Northern Min (KCR): ngà
Eastern Min (BUC): ngŏk
Southern Min
(Hokkien, POJ): ga̍k

(Teochew, Peng'im): ghaoh⁸ / ngaoh⁸
Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): ⁸yaq; ⁸ngoq
Xiang (Changsha, Wiktionary): io⁶

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: yuè
  - Zhuyin: ㄩㄝˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: yuè
  - Wade–Giles: yüeh⁴
  - Yale: ywè
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: yueh
  - Palladius: юэ (jue)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ɥɛ⁵¹/
- (Dungan)
  - Cyrillic and Wiktionary: йүә (yüə, III)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /yə⁴⁴/
  (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: ngok⁶
  - Yale: ngohk
  - Cantonese Pinyin: ngok⁹
  - Guangdong Romanization: ngog⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋɔːk̚²/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: ngok⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ᵑɡɔk̚³²/
Gan
- (Nanchang)
  - Wiktionary: ngoh⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋɔʔ⁵/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ngo̍k
  - Hakka Romanization System: ngog
  - Hagfa Pinyim: ngog⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /ŋok̚⁵/
- (Meixian)
  - Guangdong: ngog⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /ŋɔk̚⁵/
Jin
- (Taiyuan)⁺
  - Wiktionary: yeh⁴
  - Sinological IPA (old-style): /yəʔ²/
Northern Min
- (Jian'ou)
  - Kienning Colloquial Romanized: ngà
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋa⁴²/
Eastern Min
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: ngŏk
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋouʔ⁵/
Southern Min
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Jinjiang, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ga̍k
  - Tâi-lô: ga̍k
  - Phofsit Daibuun: gak
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /ɡak̚¹²¹/
  - IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang): /ɡak̚²⁴/
  - IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /ɡak̚⁴/
- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: ghaoh⁸ / ngaoh⁸
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: ga̍uh / nga̍uh
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ɡauʔ⁴/, /ŋauʔ⁴/
Wu
- (Northern: Shanghai)
  - Wugniu: ⁸yaq; ⁸ngoq
  - MiniDict: yah^入; ngoh^入
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ⁵hhiaq; ⁵ngoq
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /ɦiaʔ¹²/, /ŋoʔ¹²/

Note:

5hhiaq - “music”;
5ngoq - only in the placename 樂清 in Zhejiang.

Xiang
- (Changsha)
  - Wiktionary: io⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /i̯o²⁴/

Middle Chinese: ngaewk

Rime
Character	樂
Reading #	2/3
Initial (聲)	疑 (31)
Final (韻)	覺 (10)
Tone (調)	Checked (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	五角切
Baxter	ngaewk
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ŋˠʌk̚/
Pan Wuyun	/ŋᵚɔk̚/
Shao Rongfen	/ŋɔk̚/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ŋaɨwk̚/
Li Rong	/ŋɔk̚/
Wang Li	/ŋɔk̚/
Bernhard Karlgren	/ŋɔk̚/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	yuè
Expected Cantonese Reflex	ngok⁶

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*[ŋ]ˤrawk/

(Zhengzhang): /*ŋraːwɢ/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	樂
Reading #	4/4
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	yuè
Middle Chinese	‹ ngæwk ›
Old Chinese	/*[ŋ]ˁrawk/
English	music
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	樂
Reading #	3/3
No.	7683
Phonetic component	樂
Rime group	藥
Rime subdivision	1
Corresponding MC rime	嶽
Old Chinese	/*ŋraːwɢ/

Definitions

樂

music; tune; melody; song
音樂／音乐 ― yīnyuè ― music

樂隊／乐队 ― yuèduì ― band

奏樂／奏乐 ― zòuyuè ― to play music
- 夫樂者，樂也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  夫乐者，乐也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Xunzi, c. 3^rd century BCE
  Fú yuè zhě, lè yě. [Pinyin]
  Music, it's about joy.
(obsolete) to play music; to sing
- 大夫不食粱，士飲酒不樂。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  大夫不食粱，士饮酒不乐。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE
  Dàfū bù shí liáng, shì yǐnjiǔ bù yuè. [Pinyin]
  Great officers will not eat the large grained millet; and (other) officers will not have music (even) at their drinking.
(obsolete) musician
- 齊人歸女樂，季桓子受之，三日不朝，孔子行。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  齐人归女乐，季桓子受之，三日不朝，孔子行。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Qí rén guī nǚyuè, Jì Huán Zǐ shòu zhī, sān rì bù cháo, Kǒngzǐ xíng. [Pinyin]
  The people of Qi sent to Lu a present of female musicians, which Ji Huan received, and for three days no court was held. Confucius took his departure.
(obsolete) musical instrument
Short for 樂經／乐经 (Yuèjīng, “Classic of Music”).
a surname
樂毅／乐毅 ― Yuè Yì ― Yue Yi (a prominent military leader of the State of Yan during the Warring States period)
(slang) short form for 樂子

Usage notes

The surname 樂／乐 (yuè) is different from the surname 樂／乐 (lè).

Synonyms

(music):

edit

弦歌 (xiángē) (figurative)
音樂／音乐 (yīnyuè)
音聲／音声 (yīnshēng) (literary)

Compounds

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (樂):

→ Japanese: 楽(がく) (gaku)
→ Korean: 악(樂) (ak)
→ Vietnamese: nhạc (樂)

Pronunciation 2

Mandarin
(Standard)
(Pinyin): lè (le⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄌㄜˋ

(Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): луә (luə, I)
Cantonese
(Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): lok⁶

(Taishan, Wiktionary): lok⁵
Gan (Wiktionary): loh⁶
Hakka
(Sixian, PFS): lo̍k

(Meixian, Guangdong): log⁶
Jin (Wiktionary): luah⁴
Northern Min (KCR): lŏ̤
Eastern Min (BUC): lŏk
Southern Min
(Hokkien, POJ): lo̍k

(Teochew, Peng'im): lag⁸
Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): ⁸loq
Xiang (Changsha, Wiktionary): lo⁶

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: lè
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: lè
  - Wade–Giles: lê⁴
  - Yale: lè
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
  - Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɤ⁵¹/
- (Dungan)
  - Cyrillic and Wiktionary: луә (luə, I)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /luə²⁴/
  (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: lok⁶
  - Yale: lohk
  - Cantonese Pinyin: lok⁹
  - Guangdong Romanization: log⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔːk̚²/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: lok⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔk̚³²/
Gan
- (Nanchang)
  - Wiktionary: loh⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔʔ⁵/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: lo̍k
  - Hakka Romanization System: log
  - Hagfa Pinyim: log⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /lok̚⁵/
- (Meixian)
  - Guangdong: log⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /lɔk̚⁵/
Jin
- (Taiyuan)⁺
  - Wiktionary: luah⁴
  - Sinological IPA (old-style): /luaʔ²/
Northern Min
- (Jian'ou)
  - Kienning Colloquial Romanized: lŏ̤
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔ²⁴/
Eastern Min
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: lŏk
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /l̃ouʔ⁵/
Southern Min
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Jinjiang, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: lo̍k
  - Tâi-lô: lo̍k
  - Phofsit Daibuun: lok
  - IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang): /lɔk̚²⁴/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /lɔk̚¹²¹/
  - IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /lɔk̚⁴/
- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: lag⁸
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: la̍k
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lak̚⁴/
Wu
- (Northern: Shanghai)
  - Wugniu: ⁸loq
  - MiniDict: loh^入
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ⁵loq
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /loʔ¹²/
Xiang
- (Changsha)
  - Wiktionary: lo⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lo²⁴/

Middle Chinese: lak

Rime
Character	樂
Reading #	3/3
Initial (聲)	來 (37)
Final (韻)	鐸 (103)
Tone (調)	Checked (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	I
Fanqie	盧各切
Baxter	lak
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/lɑk̚/
Pan Wuyun	/lɑk̚/
Shao Rongfen	/lɑk̚/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/lak̚/
Li Rong	/lɑk̚/
Wang Li	/lɑk̚/
Bernhard Karlgren	/lɑk̚/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	luò
Expected Cantonese Reflex	lok⁶

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*[r]ˤawk/

(Zhengzhang): /*raːwɢ/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	樂
Reading #	2/4
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	lè
Middle Chinese	‹ lak ›
Old Chinese	/*[r]ˁawk/
English	joy; enjoy
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	樂
Reading #	2/3
No.	7673
Phonetic component	樂
Rime group	藥
Rime subdivision	1
Corresponding MC rime	落
Old Chinese	/*raːwɢ/

Definitions

樂

joyful; happy; glad
Synonym: 快 (kuài)

樂不可支／乐不可支 ― lèbùkězhī ― to be overwhelmed with joy

心裡樂開了花／心里乐开了花 ― xīnlǐ lè kāi le huā ― to be overjoyed
- 有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, bù yì lè hū? [Pinyin]
  Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
- 獨樂樂，與人樂樂，孰樂？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  独乐乐，与人乐乐，孰乐？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Dú yuè lè, yǔ rén yuè lè, shú lè? [Pinyin]
  Which is the more pleasant — to enjoy music by yourself alone, or to enjoy it with others?
happiness; joy; pleasure
- 那時候，消閑無事，我找了你們老弟兄們來，尋個樹蔭涼兒，咱們大家多喝兩場子，豈不是個樂兒嗎？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
  那时候，消闲无事，我找了你们老弟兄们来，寻个树荫凉儿，咱们大家多喝两场子，岂不是个乐儿吗？ [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]
  From: Wenkang, Ernü Yingxiongzhuan, 1878 CE
  Nà shíhòu, xiāoxián wúshì, wǒ zhǎo le nǐmen lǎo dìxiōng men lái, xún ge shù yīnliángr, zánmen dàjiā duō hē liǎng chǎngzǐ, qǐ bùshì ge lèr ma? [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this usage example)
(obsolete) lasciviousness; lechery; decadence
- 今吳王淫於樂而忘其百姓。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  今吴王淫于乐而忘其百姓。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE
  Jīn Wú wáng yín yú lè ér wàng qí bǎixìng. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this usage example)
to laugh; to smile
你把我逗樂了。 [MSC, trad.]
你把我逗乐了。 [MSC, simp.]
Nǐ bǎ wǒ dòulè le. [Pinyin]
You amused me./You made me laugh.
to enjoy; to love
樂此不疲／乐此不疲 ― lècǐbùpí ― to never get tired of it
- 前秦已拔上黨，上黨民不樂為秦而歸趙。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  前秦已拔上党，上党民不乐为秦而归赵。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
  Qián Qín yǐ bá Shàngdǎng, Shàngdǎng mín bù lè wéi Qín ér guī zhào. [Pinyin]
  (please add an English translation of this usage example)
(Cantonese) Short for 可樂／可乐 (kělè, “cola”).
24th tetragram of the Taixuanjing; "joy" (𝌝)
a surname

Usage notes

The surname 樂／乐 (lè) is different from the surname 樂／乐 (yuè).

Synonyms

(to laugh; to smile):

Dialectal synonyms of 笑 (“to laugh; to smile”) [map]

Variety	Location	Words edit
Formal (Written Standard Chinese)		笑
Northeastern Mandarin	Beijing	樂, 笑
	Taiwan	笑
	Harbin	樂
	Malaysia	笑
	Singapore	笑
	Olginsky (Mikhaylovka)	笑
Jilu Mandarin	Jinan	笑
Central Plains Mandarin	Wanrong	笑
Central Plains Mandarin	Xi'an	笑
Southwestern Mandarin	Chengdu	笑
	Wuhan	笑, 奢
	Guilin	笑
Jianghuai Mandarin	Yangzhou	笑
Jianghuai Mandarin	Hefei	笑
Cantonese	Guangzhou	笑
	Hong Kong	笑
	Yangjiang	笑
	Beihai	笑
	Beihai (Qiaogang - Cô Tô)	笑
	Beihai (Qiaogang - Cát Bà)	笑
	Fangchenggang (Fangcheng)	笑
	Ho Chi Minh City (Guangfu)	笑
	Móng Cái	笑
Gan	Nanchang	笑
Gan	Pingxiang	笑
Hakka	Meixian	笑
	Miaoli (N. Sixian)	笑
	Pingtung (Neipu; S. Sixian)	笑
	Hsinchu County (Zhudong; Hailu)	笑
	Taichung (Dongshi; Dabu)	笑
	Hsinchu County (Qionglin; Raoping)	笑
	Yunlin (Lunbei; Zhao'an)	笑
Huizhou	Jixi	笑
Jin	Taiyuan	笑
Northern Min	Jian'ou	笑
Eastern Min	Fuzhou	笑
Southern Min	Xiamen	笑
	Quanzhou	笑
	Zhangzhou	笑
	Manila (Hokkien)	笑
	Chaozhou	笑
Southern Pinghua	Nanning (Tingzi)	笑
Southern Pinghua	Binyang	笑
Shehua	Fu'an	笑
	Fuding	笑
	Luoyuan	笑
	Sanming	笑
	Shunchang	笑
	Hua'an	笑
	Guixi (Zhangping)	笑
	Cangnan	笑
	Jingning (Hexi)	笑
	Lishui	笑
	Longyou	笑
	Chaozhou	笑
	Fengshun	笑
Waxiang	Guzhang (Gaofeng)	笑
	Yuanling (Shaojiwan)	笑
	Luxi (Baisha)	笑
Wu	Shanghai	笑
	Suzhou	笑
	Danyang	笑
	Hangzhou	笑
	Wenzhou	笑
Xiang	Changsha	笑
Xiang	Shuangfeng	笑

Compounds

三樂／三乐
不亦樂乎／不亦乐乎 (bùyìlèhū)
不樂／不乐 (bùlè)
不樂觀／不乐观
于飛之樂／于飞之乐
享樂／享乐 (xiǎnglè)
享樂主義／享乐主义 (xiǎnglè zhǔyì)
佚樂／佚乐
作樂／作乐
伯樂／伯乐 (Bólè)
伯樂一顧／伯乐一顾 (Bó Lè yī gù)
何樂不為／何乐不为 (hélèbùwéi)
何樂而不為／何乐而不为 (hé lè ér bù wéi)
俱樂部／俱乐部 (jùlèbù)
假樂／假乐
傻樂／傻乐
優樂／优乐
先憂後樂／先忧后乐
兒童樂園／儿童乐园 (értóng lèyuán)
其樂不窮／其乐不穷
其樂無比／其乐无比
其樂無窮／其乐无穷 (qílèwúqióng)
其樂融融／其乐融融 (qílèróngróng)
利樂／利乐
利樂包／利乐包 (lìlèbāo)
刮刮樂／刮刮乐
助人為樂／助人为乐 (zhùrénwéilè)
博樂／博乐 (Bólè)
及時行樂／及时行乐 (jíshíxínglè)
取樂／取乐 (qǔlè)
可共患難不可共安樂／可共患难不可共安乐
可樂／可乐 (kělè)
可與共患難，不可與共樂／可与共患难，不可与共乐
吃喝玩樂／吃喝玩乐 (chīhēwánlè)
同樂／同乐 (tónglè)
同樂會／同乐会
吉樂餅／吉乐饼 (jílèbǐng)
君子三樂／君子三乐
和樂／和乐 (hélè)
咍樂／咍乐
哀樂／哀乐
喜怒哀樂／喜怒哀乐 (xǐnù'āilè)
喜聞樂見／喜闻乐见 (xǐwénlèjiàn)
大家樂／大家乐
天倫之樂／天伦之乐 (tiānlúnzhīlè)
天樂／天乐
好善樂施／好善乐施
好施樂善／好施乐善
娛樂／娱乐 (yúlè)
娛樂場所／娱乐场所
娛樂片／娱乐片
娛樂稅／娱乐税
媽媽樂／妈妈乐
安和樂利／安和乐利
安土樂業／安土乐业
安堵樂業／安堵乐业
安家樂業／安家乐业
安居樂業／安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè)
安樂／安乐 (ānlè)
安樂世界／安乐世界
安樂公主／安乐公主
安樂國／安乐国
安樂椅／安乐椅 (ānlèyǐ)
安樂死／安乐死 (ānlèsǐ)
安樂窩／安乐窝 (ānlèwō)
安貧樂賤／安贫乐贱
安貧樂道／安贫乐道 (ānpínlèdào)
安身樂業／安身乐业
宴樂／宴乐
富強康樂／富强康乐
寓教於樂／寓教于乐 (yùjiàoyúlè)
尋樂／寻乐
尋歡作樂／寻欢作乐 (xúnhuānzuòlè)
干樂 (kan-lo̍k) (Min Nan)
平樂／平乐 (Pínglè)
幸災樂禍／幸灾乐祸 (xìngzāilèhuò)
幾家歡樂幾家愁／几家欢乐几家愁 (jǐ jiā huānlè jǐ jiā chóu)
康樂／康乐 (kānglè)
康樂活動／康乐活动
忽忽不樂／忽忽不乐
快樂／快乐 (kuàilè)
快樂丸／快乐丸 (kuàilèwán)
快樂主義／快乐主义 (kuàilè zhǔyì)
怏怏不樂／怏怏不乐
怡然自樂／怡然自乐
悒悒不樂／悒悒不乐
悶悶不樂／闷闷不乐 (mènmènbùlè)
愛心刮刮樂／爱心刮刮乐
慘然不樂／惨然不乐
找樂子／找乐子 (zhǎo lèzi)
曲肱之樂／曲肱之乐
朝歡暮樂／朝欢暮乐
村天樂／村天乐
森林遊樂區／森林游乐区
極樂／极乐 (jílè)
極樂世界／极乐世界 (jílè shìjiè)
極樂鳥／极乐鸟 (jílèniǎo)
樂不可支／乐不可支 (lèbùkězhī)
樂不可極／乐不可极
樂不可言／乐不可言
樂不思蜀／乐不思蜀 (lèbùsīshǔ)
樂事／乐事 (lèshì)
樂以忘憂／乐以忘忧
樂兒／乐儿 (lèr)
樂利／乐利
樂和／乐和
樂呵／乐呵
樂呵呵／乐呵呵
樂善／乐善 (lèshàn)
樂善不倦／乐善不倦
樂善好施／乐善好施 (lèshànhàoshī)
樂善好義／乐善好义
樂嘻嘻
樂國／乐国
樂園／乐园 (lèyuán)
樂土／乐土 (lètǔ)
樂在其中／乐在其中 (lèzàiqízhōng)
樂境／乐境
樂天／乐天 (lètiān)
樂天安命／乐天安命
樂天派／乐天派 (lètiānpài)
樂天知命／乐天知命 (lètiānzhīmìng)
樂子／乐子 (lèzi)
樂子館／乐子馆
樂山／乐山 (Lèshān)
樂得／乐得 (lèdé)
樂意／乐意 (lèyì)
樂戶／乐户
樂捐／乐捐 (lèjuān)
樂施／乐施
樂易／乐易
樂昌分破鏡／乐昌分破镜
樂昌破鏡／乐昌破镜
樂普／乐普 (lèpǔ)
樂業／乐业 (lèyè)
樂極則悲／乐极则悲
樂業安居／乐业安居
樂極忘形／乐极忘形
樂極悲來／乐极悲来
樂極悲生／乐极悲生
樂極生悲／乐极生悲 (lèjíshēngbēi)
樂樂陶陶／乐乐陶陶
樂此不倦／乐此不倦
樂此不疲／乐此不疲 (lècǐbùpí)
樂歲／乐岁
樂浪／乐浪 (Lèlàng)
樂滋滋／乐滋滋 (lèzīzī)
樂禍／乐祸
樂禍幸災／乐祸幸灾
樂紋兒／乐纹儿
樂群／乐群
樂而不淫／乐而不淫 (lè'érbùyín)
樂而不荒／乐而不荒
樂而忘憂／乐而忘忧
樂而忘歸／乐而忘归
樂而忘返／乐而忘返
樂育／乐育
樂處／乐处
樂融融／乐融融 (lèróngróng)
樂觀／乐观 (lèguān)
樂觀主義／乐观主义 (lèguān zhǔyì)
樂觀其成／乐观其成 (lèguānqíchéng)
樂觀進取／乐观进取 (lèguān jìnqǔ)
樂託／乐托
樂貧甘賤／乐贫甘贱
樂趣／乐趣 (lèqù)
樂輸／乐输
樂透／乐透 (lètòu)
樂道／乐道 (lèdào)
樂遊原／乐游原
樂陶陶／乐陶陶 (lètáotáo)
欣然自樂／欣然自乐
歌舞作樂／歌舞作乐
歡樂／欢乐 (huānlè)
永樂／永乐 (Yǒnglè)
永樂大典／永乐大典 (Yǒnglè Dàdiǎn)
永樂宮／永乐宫
永樂窯／永乐窑
永樂錢／永乐钱
泰極還生否，樂處又逢悲／泰极还生否，乐处又逢悲
泌水樂飢／泌水乐饥
津津樂道／津津乐道 (jīnjīnlèdào)
為善最樂／为善最乐 (wéishàn zuì lè)
燕樂／燕乐 (yànyuè)
狄斯奈樂園／狄斯奈乐园
狄斯耐樂園／狄斯耐乐园
玩樂／玩乐 (wánlè)
甘貧樂道／甘贫乐道
生於憂患，死於安樂／生于忧患，死于安乐 (shēng yú yōuhuàn, sǐ yú ānlè)
白樂天／白乐天
百樂／百乐 (Bǎilè)
知命樂天／知命乐天
知足常樂／知足常乐 (zhīzúchánglè)
知魚之樂／知鱼之乐
磨喝樂／磨喝乐
耽樂／耽乐
育樂／育乐 (yùlè)
自得其樂／自得其乐 (zìdéqílè)
至樂／至乐
與民偕樂／与民偕乐
與民同樂／与民同乐
般樂／般乐
芭樂／芭乐 (bālè)
芭樂票／芭乐票 (bālèpiào)
苦中作樂／苦中作乐 (kǔzhōngzuòlè)
苦樂／苦乐
莎樂美／莎乐美 (shālèměi)
蓮花樂／莲花乐
行樂／行乐 (xínglè)
行樂圖／行乐图
衾枕之樂／衾枕之乐
西方極樂世界／西方极乐世界
豐樂／丰乐 (Fēnglè)
豐樂亭／丰乐亭
財去身安樂／财去身安乐
貧而樂道／贫而乐道
買樂／买乐
賞心樂事／赏心乐事
躬耕樂道／躬耕乐道
迪斯尼樂園／迪斯尼乐园 (Dísīní lèyuán)
追歡取樂／追欢取乐
逢場作樂／逢场作乐
逗樂／逗乐 (dòulè)
逸樂／逸乐
進酒作樂／进酒作乐 (jìnjiǔzuòlè)
遊樂／游乐 (yóulè)
遊樂場／游乐场 (yóulèchǎng)
遊樂林／游乐林
酣樂／酣乐
長樂／长乐 (chánglè)
長樂宮／长乐宫 (Chánglègōng)
長樂未央／长乐未央
隨緣樂助／随缘乐助
電視遊樂器／电视游乐器 (diànshì yóulèqì)
風吹鴨蛋殼，財去人安樂／风吹鸭蛋壳，财去人安乐
飲酒作樂／饮酒作乐
饒樂／饶乐
高樂／高乐
鬱鬱不樂／郁郁不乐 (yùyùbùlè)
魚樂／鱼乐

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (樂):

→ Japanese: 楽(らく) (raku)
→ Korean: 락/낙(樂) (rak/nak)
→ Vietnamese: lạc (樂)

Pronunciation 3

Mandarin
(Pinyin): lè, yào (le⁴, yao⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄌㄜˋ, ㄧㄠˋ
Cantonese (Jyutping): ngaau⁶
Hakka (Sixian, PFS): ngau
Eastern Min (BUC): ngâu
Southern Min (Hokkien, POJ): ngāu
Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): ⁶yau

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese, standard in Mainland)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: lè
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: lè
  - Wade–Giles: lê⁴
  - Yale: lè
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
  - Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɤ⁵¹/
- (Standard Chinese, standard in Taiwan, literary variant in Mainland)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: yào
  - Zhuyin: ㄧㄠˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: yào
  - Wade–Giles: yao⁴
  - Yale: yàu
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: yaw
  - Palladius: яо (jao)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /jɑʊ̯⁵¹/
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: ngaau⁶
  - Yale: ngaauh
  - Cantonese Pinyin: ngaau⁶
  - Guangdong Romanization: ngao⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋaːu̯²²/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ngau
  - Hakka Romanization System: ngau
  - Hagfa Pinyim: ngau⁴
  - Sinological IPA: /ŋau̯⁵⁵/
Eastern Min
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: ngâu
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋɑu²⁴²/
Southern Min
- (Hokkien)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ngāu
  - Tâi-lô: ngāu
  - Phofsit Daibuun: ngau
  - IPA (Xiamen): /ŋãu²²/
  - IPA (Quanzhou): /ŋãu⁴¹/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /ŋãu²²/
  - IPA (Taipei): /ŋãu³³/
  - IPA (Kaohsiung): /ŋãu³³/
Wu
- (Northern: Shanghai)
  - Wugniu: ⁶yau
  - MiniDict: yau^去
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ³hhiau
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /ɦiɔ²³/

Middle Chinese: ngaewH

Rime
Character	樂
Reading #	1/3
Initial (聲)	疑 (31)
Final (韻)	肴 (90)
Tone (調)	Departing (H)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	五敎切
Baxter	ngaewH
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ŋˠau^H/
Pan Wuyun	/ŋᵚau^H/
Shao Rongfen	/ŋau^H/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ŋaɨw^H/
Li Rong	/ŋau^H/
Wang Li	/ŋau^H/
Bernhard Karlgren	/ŋau^H/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	yào
Expected Cantonese Reflex	ngaau⁶

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*[ŋ]ˤrawk-s/

(Zhengzhang): /*ŋraːwɢs/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	樂
Reading #	3/4
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	yào
Middle Chinese	‹ ngæw^H ›
Old Chinese	/*[ŋ]ˁrawk-s/
English	cause to rejoice
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	樂
Reading #	1/3
No.	7670
Phonetic component	樂
Rime group	豹
Rime subdivision	1
Corresponding MC rime	樂
Old Chinese	/*ŋraːwɢs/

Definitions

樂

(obsolete) to be fond of; to enjoy; to appreciate
- 知者樂水，仁者樂山。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  知者乐水，仁者乐山。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Zhì zhě yào shuǐ, rén zhě yào shān. [Pinyin]
  The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills.

Compounds

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (樂):

→ Korean: 요(樂) (yo)

Pronunciation 4

Mandarin
(Pinyin): lào, lè (lao⁴, le⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄌㄠˋ, ㄌㄜˋ
Cantonese (Jyutping): lok³

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: lào
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄠˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: lào
  - Wade–Giles: lao⁴
  - Yale: làu
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: law
  - Palladius: лао (lao)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɑʊ̯⁵¹/
- (Standard Chinese, variant)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: lè
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: lè
  - Wade–Giles: lê⁴
  - Yale: lè
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
  - Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɤ⁵¹/
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: lok³
  - Yale: lok
  - Cantonese Pinyin: lok⁸
  - Guangdong Romanization: log³
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔːk̚³/

Definitions

樂

Used in place names.
樂亭／乐亭 ― Làotíng ― Laoting (county of Hebei)

樂陵／乐陵 ― Làolíng ― Laoling (county-level city in Shandong)

Pronunciation 5

For pronunciation and definitions of 樂 – see 療 (“to treat; to cure; to heal; therapy; treatment”). (This character is a variant form of 療).

Pronunciation 6

Mandarin
(Pinyin): luò (luo⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄌㄨㄛˋ
Cantonese (Jyutping): lok⁶

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: luò
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄨㄛˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: luò
  - Wade–Giles: lo⁴
  - Yale: lwò
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: luoh
  - Palladius: ло (lo)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lu̯ɔ⁵¹/
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: lok⁶
  - Yale: lohk
  - Cantonese Pinyin: lok⁹
  - Guangdong Romanization: log⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔːk̚²/

Definitions

樂

Used in compounds.

Compounds

References

“樂”, in 漢語多功能字庫 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎^[1], 香港中文大學 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–

Japanese

Shinjitai	楽
Kyūjitai	樂

Kanji

樂

(Jinmeiyō kanji, kyūjitai kanji, shinjitai form 楽)

Kyūjitai form of 楽

Readings

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewH):

Go-on: ぎょう (gyō)^{←げう (geu, historical)}
Kan-on: ごう (gō)^{←がう (gau, historical)}
Kun: このむ (konomu, 樂む)

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewk, “music, singing”):

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC lak, “comfort, ease”):

Go-on: らく (raku)
Kan-on: らく (raku)
Kan’yō-on: ろう (rō)^{←らう (rau, historical)}
Kun: たのしい (tanoshii, 樂しい)、たのしみ (tanoshimi, 樂)、たのしむ (tanoshimu, 樂しむ)
Nanori: ささ (sasa)、もと (moto)、よし (yoshi)

Korean

Etymology 1

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewk).

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	ᅌᅡᆨ〮 (Yale: ngák)
Middle Korean
Text	Eumhun
Text	*Gloss (hun)*	Reading
Hunmong Jahoe, 1527^[2]	음악〮 (Yale: ùm-ák)	악〮 (Yale: ák)
Early Modern Korean
Text	Eumhun
Text	*Gloss (hun)*	Reading
Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804	풍류 (pungnyu)	악 (ak)

Pronunciation

(SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [a̠k̚]
Phonetic hangul: [악]

Hanja

Korean Wikisource has texts containing the hanja:

樂

Wikisource

樂 (eumhun 노래 악 (norae ak))

hanja form^? of 악 (“music; tune; melody; song”)

Compounds

음악 (音樂, eumak)
악본 (樂本, akbon)
악리 (樂理, angni)
악기 (樂器, akgi)
악단 (樂團, akdan)
악사 (樂士, aksa)
악인 (樂人, agin)
악작 (樂作, akjak)
악장 (樂匠, akjang)
악전 (樂典, akjeon)
악자 (樂子, akja)
악구 (樂句, akgu)
악극 (樂劇, akgeuk)
악공 (樂工, akgong)
악궁 (樂弓, akgung)
악식 (樂式, aksik)
악가 (樂歌, akga)
악곡 (樂曲, akgok)
악단 (樂段, akdan)
악랑 (樂浪, angnang)
악상 (樂想, aksang)
악생 (樂生, aksaeng)
악서 (樂書, akseo)
악수 (樂手, aksu)
악재 (樂才, akjae)
악지 (樂止, akji)
악파 (樂派, akpa)
악호 (樂戶, akho)
악계 (樂界, akgye)
악기 (樂記, akgi)
악음 (樂音, ageum)
악절 (樂節, akjeol)
악조 (樂調, akjo)
고악 (古樂, goak)
관악 (管樂, gwanak)
국악 (國樂, gugak)
군악 (軍樂, gunak)
당악 (唐樂, dang'ak)
성악 (聲樂, seong'ak)

Etymology 2

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC lak).

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	락〮 (Yale: lák)
Middle Korean
Text	Eumhun
Text	*Gloss (hun)*	Reading
Gwangju Cheonjamun, 1575	낙ᄒᆞᆯ (Yale: nak-hol)	락 (Yale: lak)
Sinjeung Yuhap, 1576	즐길 (Yale: culkil)	락 (Yale: lak)
Early Modern Korean
Text	Eumhun
Text	*Gloss (hun)*	Reading
Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804	즐길 (jeulgil)	락 (rak)

Pronunciation

(SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ɾa̠k̚] ~ [na̠k̚]
Phonetic hangul: [락/낙]

Hanja

樂 (eumhun 즐길 락 (jeulgil rak), word-initial (South Korea) 즐길 낙 (jeulgil nak))

hanja form^? of 락/낙 (“to enjoy; happiness; pleasure”)

Compounds

안락 (安樂, allak)
낙천 (樂天, nakcheon)
위락 (慰樂, wirak)
낙관 (樂觀, nakgwan)
극락 (極樂, geungnak)
향락 (享樂, hyangnak)
법락 (法樂, beomnak)
삼락 (三樂, samnak)
상락 (常樂, sangnak)
오락 (娛樂, orak)
쾌락 (快樂, kwaerak)
낙원 (樂園, nagwon)

Etymology 3

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewH).

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	ᅌᅭᇢ〮 (Yale: ngyów)
Early Modern Korean
Text	Eumhun
Text	*Gloss (hun)*	Reading
Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804	됴히 너길 (dyohi neogil)	요 (yo)

Pronunciation

(SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [jo]
Phonetic hangul: [요]

Hanja

樂 (eumhun 좋아할 요 (joahal yo))

(literary) hanja form^? of 요 (“to be fond of; to like”)

Compounds

요산요수 (樂山樂水, yosanyosu)

References

국제퇴계학회 대구경북지부 (國際退溪學會大邱慶北支部) (2007). Digital Hanja Dictionary, 전자사전／電子字典. [3]

Vietnamese

Han character

樂: Hán Nôm readings: lạc, nhạc

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