乐

樂

lè, yuè, lào

Definitions

lè (adjective) happy; cheerful; joyful

yuè (noun) music

Etymology

Pictograph of an ancient wooden stringed musical instrument. The simplified character 乐 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 樂.

About

The character 乐 is a simplification of the traditional 樂, adapted from its cursive form. It originated as a pictograph of a wooden frame strung with silk, depicting an early stringed instrument. This gave it the primary meaning of music and a corresponding pronunciation. Since music naturally brings joy, the character later developed a second pronunciation and an equally common meaning encompassing happiness, amusement, and delight.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我今天很快乐。

Wǒ jīntiān hěn kuàilè.

I am very happy today.

我喜欢听音乐。

Wǒ xǐhuān tīng yīnyuè.

I like listening to music.

音乐让我快乐。

Yīnyuè ràng wǒ kuàilè.

Music makes me happy.

他是个乐观的人。

Tā shì gè lèguān de rén.

He is an optimistic person.

听到好消息，大家都乐了。

Tīng dào hǎo xiāoxi, dàjiā dōu lè le.

Hearing the good news, everyone became happy.

他乐于帮助朋友。

Tā lèyú bāngzhù péngyou.

He is willing to help friends.

学习音乐不仅能带来快乐，还能培养耐心。

Xuéxí yīnyuè bùjǐn néng dàilái kuàilè, hái néng péiyǎng nàixīn.

Learning music not only brings happiness but also cultivates patience.

尽管面临挑战，他依然保持乐观的态度。

Jǐnguǎn miànlín tiǎozhàn, tā yīrán bǎochí lèguān de tàidù.

Despite facing challenges, he still maintains an optimistic attitude.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 乐

Example Words