樂

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

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

Related characters

• 楽 (Japanese shinjitai)
• 乐 (Simplified Chinese)

References

• KangXi: 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

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Chinese

trad.		樂
simp.		乐
alternative forms		楽

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) : 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, Jyutping): ngok⁶

  (Taishan, Wiktionary): ngok⁵

• Gan (Wiktionary): ngoh⁶
• Hakka

  (Sixian, PFS): ngo̍k

  (Meixian, Guangdong): ngog⁶

• Jin (Wiktionary): yeh⁴
• Min Bei (KCR): ngà
• Min Dong (BUC): ngŏk
• Min Nan

  (Hokkien, POJ): ga̍k

  (Teochew, Peng'im): ghaoh⁸ / ngaoh⁸

• Wu (Wiktionary): hhiaq (T5); ngoq (T5)
• Xiang (Wiktionary): io⁶

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• 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)⁺
    • 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 Meinong)
    • 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/
• Min Bei
  • (Jian'ou)
    • Kienning Colloquial Romanized: ngà
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋa⁴²/
• Min Dong
  • (Fuzhou)
    • Bàng-uâ-cê: ngŏk
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋouʔ⁵/
• Min Nan
  • (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
  • (Shanghainese)
    • Wiktionary: hhiaq (T5); ngoq (T5)
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /ɦia̱ʔ¹²/, /ŋʊʔ¹²/

Note:

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

• Xiang
  • (Changsha)
    • Wiktionary: io⁶
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /io²⁴/

---

• Middle Chinese: /ŋˠʌk̚/

Rime
Character	樂
Reading #	2/3
Initial (聲)	疑 (31)
Final (韻)	江 (10)
Tone (調)	Checked (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	II
Fanqie	五角切
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ŋˠʌk̚/
Pan Wuyun	/ŋᵚɔk̚/
Shao Rongfen	/ŋɔk̚/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ŋaɨwk̚/
Li Rong	/ŋɔk̚/
Wang Li	/ŋɔk̚/
Bernard 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

1. 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.

2. (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.

3. (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.

4. (obsolete) musical instrument
5. Short for 樂經／乐经 (Yuèjīng, “Classic of Music”).
6. a surname

   樂毅／乐毅  ―  Yuè Yì  ―  Yue Yi (a prominent military leader of the State of Yan during the Warring States period)

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

Derived terms from 樂

交響樂／交响乐 (jiāoxiǎngyuè) 交響樂團／交响乐团 (jiāoxiǎngyuètuán) 仙樂／仙乐 (xiānyuè) 佛教音樂／佛教音乐 作樂／作乐 (zuòlè) 俗樂／俗乐 (súyuè) 六樂／六乐 凱樂／凯乐 制禮作樂／制礼作乐 南樂／南乐 (nányuè) 古典音樂／古典音乐 (gǔdiǎn yīnyuè) 古樂／古乐 (gǔyuè) 合成樂器／合成乐器 吹奏樂器／吹奏乐器 (chuīzòu yuèqì) 吹樂器／吹乐器 和聲樂器／和声乐器 哀樂／哀乐 (āiyuè) 唐樂／唐乐 (tángyuè) 器樂／器乐 (qìyuè) 噪音音樂／噪音音乐 國家音樂廳／国家音乐厅 國樂／国乐 (guóyuè) 國民樂派音樂／国民乐派音乐 夏威夷音樂／夏威夷音乐 夔龍禮樂／夔龙礼乐 天樂／天乐 奏樂／奏乐 (zòuyuè) 女樂／女乐 子卯不樂／子卯不乐 宗教音樂／宗教音乐 室內樂／室内乐 (shìnèiyuè) 室樂／室乐 (shìyuè) 家樂／家乐 小山樂府／小山乐府 底下奏樂／底下奏乐 弦樂／弦乐 (xiányuè) 弦樂器／弦乐器 (xiányuèqì) 心靈音樂／心灵音乐 悅樂／悦乐 愷樂／恺乐 房中樂／房中乐 打擊樂／打击乐 (dǎjīyuè) 打擊樂器／打击乐器 (dǎjī yuèqì) 拉丁美洲音樂／拉丁美洲音乐 搖擺樂／摇摆乐 搖滾樂／摇滚乐 (yáogǔn yuè) 撥弦樂器／拨弦乐器 擦弦樂器／擦弦乐器 散樂／散乐 敲擊樂器／敲击乐器 敲擊音樂／敲击音乐 文樂傀儡／文乐傀儡 新爵士樂／新爵士乐 朝歌暮樂／朝歌暮乐 木管樂器／木管乐器 (mùguǎn yuèqì) 樂人／乐人 樂勝／乐胜 (lèshèng) 樂句／乐句 (yuèjù) 樂史／乐史 樂品／乐品 樂器／乐器 (yuèqì) 樂團／乐团 (yuètuán) 樂壇／乐坛 (yuètán)

樂婦／乐妇 樂工／乐工 (yuègōng) 樂師／乐师 (yuèshī) 樂床／乐床 樂府／乐府 (yuèfǔ) 樂府指迷／乐府指迷 樂府詩／乐府诗 (yuèfǔshī) 樂府詩集／乐府诗集 樂府雜錄／乐府杂录 樂式／乐式 樂律／乐律 (yuèlǜ) 樂戶／乐户 樂探／乐探 樂曲／乐曲 (yuèqǔ) 樂棚／乐棚 樂歌／乐歌 (yuègē) 樂正／乐正 (yuèzhèng) 樂毅／乐毅 樂毅論／乐毅论 樂池／乐池 樂清／乐清 (Yuèqīng) 樂理／乐理 (yuèlǐ) 樂章／乐章 (yuèzhāng) 樂籍／乐籍 樂素／乐素 樂經／乐经 (Yuèjīng) 樂翁／乐翁 樂聖／乐圣 樂聲／乐声 樂舞／乐舞 (yuèwǔ) 樂記／乐记 樂語／乐语 樂論／乐论 樂譜／乐谱 (yuèpǔ) 樂迷／乐迷 樂部／乐部 樂隊／乐队 (yuèduì) 樂音／乐音 (yuèyīn) 標題音樂／标题音乐 (biāotí yīnyuè) 歌樂／歌乐 (gēyuè) 民俗音樂／民俗音乐 民族樂器／民族乐器 民族樂隊／民族乐队 民族音樂／民族音乐 氣鳴樂器／气鸣乐器 浪漫樂派／浪漫乐派 清商樂／清商乐 (qīngshāngyuè) 清樂／清乐 (qīngyuè) 潮樂／潮乐 (cháoyuè) 熱門音樂／热门音乐 燕樂／燕乐 (yànyuè) 燕樂二十八調／燕乐二十八调 燕樂半字譜／燕乐半字谱 燕樂考源／燕乐考源 爵士樂／爵士乐 (juéshìyuè) 獨樂樂／独乐乐 破陣樂／破阵乐 禮壞樂崩／礼坏乐崩 禮壞樂缺／礼坏乐缺 禮崩樂壞／礼崩乐坏 (lǐbēngyuèhuài) 禮廢樂崩／礼废乐崩 禮樂／礼乐 (lǐyuè) 禮樂崩壞／礼乐崩坏

禮樂為鉤／礼乐为钩 秦王破陣樂／秦王破阵乐 移調樂器／移调乐器 管弦樂／管弦乐 (guǎnxiányuè) 管弦樂團／管弦乐团 (guǎnxián yuètuán) 管樂／管乐 (guǎnyuè) 管樂器／管乐器 (guǎnyuèqì) 管樂隊／管乐队 簧樂器／簧乐器 (huángyuèqì) 粗樂／粗乐 細樂／细乐 絕對音樂／绝对音乐 (juéduì yīnyuè) 絲竹樂／丝竹乐 網路音樂廳／网路音乐厅 聆樂／聆乐 聖樂／圣乐 聲樂／声乐 (shēngyuè) 背景音樂／背景音乐 (bèijǐng yīnyuè) 胡樂／胡乐 能樂／能乐 (néngyuè) 膜鳴樂器／膜鸣乐器 舉酒作樂／举酒作乐 舞樂／舞乐 衣冠禮樂／衣冠礼乐 西樂／西乐 (xīyuè) 西海岸爵士樂／西海岸爵士乐 西班牙音樂／西班牙音乐 詩書禮樂／诗书礼乐 軍樂／军乐 (jūnyuè) 軍樂隊／军乐队 (jūnyuèduì) 輕音樂／轻音乐 (qīngyīnyuè) 鄉村音樂／乡村音乐 (xiāngcūn yīnyuè) 配樂／配乐 (pèiyuè) 鈞天廣樂／钧天广乐 鈞天樂／钧天乐 銅管樂器／铜管乐器 (tóngguǎn yuèqì) 銅管樂隊／铜管乐队 (tóngguǎn yuèduì) 鍵盤樂器／键盘乐器 (jiànpán yuèqì) 雅樂／雅乐 (yǎyuè) 電子音樂／电子音乐 (diànzǐ yīnyuè) 電樂器／电乐器 電腦音樂／电脑音乐 靡靡之樂／靡靡之乐 (mǐmǐzhīyuè) 音樂／音乐 (yīnyuè) 音樂劇／音乐剧 (yīnyuèjù) 音樂卡／音乐卡 音樂圖書館／音乐图书馆 音樂家／音乐家 (yīnyuèjiā) 音樂廳／音乐厅 (yīnyuètīng) 音樂會／音乐会 (yīnyuèhuì) 音樂治療／音乐治疗 (yīnyuè zhìliáo) 音樂片／音乐片 音樂盒／音乐盒 (yīnyuèhé) 音樂站／音乐站 音樂節／音乐节 音樂臺／音乐台 音樂鋸／音乐锯 音樂電鈴／音乐电铃 韶樂／韶乐 黑人音樂／黑人音乐 (hēirén yīnyuè) 鼓吹樂／鼓吹乐 (gǔchuīyuè) 鼓樂／鼓乐 鼓樂喧天／鼓乐喧天

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (樂):

• → Japanese: 楽(がく) (gaku)
• → Vietnamese: nhạc (樂)

Pronunciation 2

• Mandarin

  (Standard)

  (Pinyin): lè (le⁴)

  (Zhuyin): ㄌㄜˋ

  (Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): луә (luə, I)

• Cantonese

  (Guangzhou, Jyutping): lok⁶

  (Taishan, Wiktionary): lok⁵

• Gan (Wiktionary): loh⁶
• Hakka

  (Sixian, PFS): lo̍k

  (Meixian, Guangdong): log⁶

• Jin (Wiktionary): luah⁴
• Min Bei (KCR): lŏ̤
• Min Dong (BUC): lŏk
• Min Nan

  (Hokkien, POJ): lo̍k

  (Teochew, Peng'im): lag⁸

• Wu (Wiktionary): loq (T5)
• Xiang (Wiktionary): lo⁶

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• 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)⁺
    • 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 Meinong)
    • 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/
• Min Bei
  • (Jian'ou)
    • Kienning Colloquial Romanized: lŏ̤
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔ²⁴/
• Min Dong
  • (Fuzhou)
    • Bàng-uâ-cê: lŏk
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /l̃ouʔ⁵/
• Min Nan
  • (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
  • (Shanghainese)
    • Wiktionary: loq (T5)
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /lʊʔ¹²/
• Xiang
  • (Changsha)
    • Wiktionary: lo⁶
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /lo²⁴/

---

• Middle Chinese: /lɑk̚/

Rime
Character	樂
Reading #	3/3
Initial (聲)	來 (37)
Final (韻)	唐 (103)
Tone (調)	Checked (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	I
Fanqie	盧各切
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/lɑk̚/
Pan Wuyun	/lɑk̚/
Shao Rongfen	/lɑk̚/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/lak̚/
Li Rong	/lɑk̚/
Wang Li	/lɑk̚/
Bernard 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

1. 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?

2. 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 example)

3. (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 example)

4. to laugh; to smile

   你把我逗樂了。／你把我逗乐了。  ―  Nǐ bǎ wǒ dòulè le.  ―  You amused me./You made me laugh.

5. 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 example)

6. 24th tetragram of the Taixuanjing; "joy" (𝌝)
7. 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
Mandarin	Beijing	樂, 笑
	Taiwan	笑
	Harbin	樂
	Jinan	笑
	Wanrong	笑
	Xi'an	笑
	Wuhan	笑, 奢
	Chengdu	笑
	Guilin	笑
	Yangzhou	笑
	Hefei	笑
	Malaysia	笑
	Singapore	笑
	Olginsky (Mikhaylovka)	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
	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
Min Bei	Jian'ou	笑
Min Dong	Fuzhou	笑
Min Nan	Xiamen	笑
	Quanzhou	笑
	Zhangzhou	笑
	Manila (Hokkien)	笑
	Chaozhou	笑
Southern Pinghua	Nanning (Tingzi)	笑
	Binyang	笑
Shehua	Fu'an	笑
	Fuding	笑
	Luoyuan	笑
	Sanming	笑
	Shunchang	笑
	Hua'an	笑
	Guixi (Zhangping)	笑
	Cangnan	笑
	Jingning	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
	Shuangfeng	笑

Compounds

Derived terms from 樂

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) 伯樂／伯乐 (Bólè) 伯樂一顧／伯乐一顾 何樂不為／何乐不为 (hélèbùwéi) 何樂而不為／何乐而不为 (hé lè ér bù wéi) 佚樂／佚乐 作樂／作乐 (zuòlè) 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 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) 吉樂餅／吉乐饼 (jílèbǐng) 同樂／同乐 (tónglè) 同樂會／同乐会 君子三樂／君子三乐 和樂／和乐 (hélè) 咍樂／咍乐 哀樂／哀乐 (āiyuè) 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 (yànyuè) 富強康樂／富强康乐 寓教於樂／寓教于乐 尋樂／寻乐 尋歡作樂／寻欢作乐 (xúnhuānzuòlè) 干樂／干乐 (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 快樂／快乐 (kuàilè)

快樂丸／快乐丸 (kuàilèwán) 快樂主義／快乐主义 (kuàilè zhǔyì) 忽忽不樂／忽忽不乐 怏怏不樂／怏怏不乐 (yàngyàngbùlè) 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 樂呵／乐呵 樂呵呵／乐呵呵 樂和／乐和 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／乐嘻嘻 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 樂昌分破鏡／乐昌分破镜 樂昌破鏡／乐昌破镜 樂易／乐易 樂普／乐普 (lèpǔ) 樂業／乐业 (lèyè) 樂業安居／乐业安居 樂極則悲／乐极则悲 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 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 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 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 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) 樂遊原／乐游原 樂道／乐道 (lèdào) 樂陶陶／乐陶陶 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 永樂宮／永乐宫 永樂窯／永乐窑 永樂錢／永乐钱 泌水樂飢／泌水乐饥 泰極還生否，樂處又逢悲／泰极还生否，乐处又逢悲 津津樂道／津津乐道 (jīnjīnlèdào) 為善最樂／为善最乐 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 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 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 逗樂／逗乐 (dòulè) 逢場作樂／逢场作乐 進酒作樂／进酒作乐 (jìnjiǔzuòlè) 逸樂／逸乐 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
• Min Dong (BUC): ngâu
• Min Nan (POJ): ngāu

---

• 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)⁺
    • Jyutping: ngaau⁶
    • Yale: ngaauh
    • Cantonese Pinyin: ngaau⁶
    • Guangdong Romanization: ngao⁶
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋaːu̯²²/
• Hakka
  • (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Meinong)
    • Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ngau
    • Hakka Romanization System: ngau
    • Hagfa Pinyim: ngau⁴
    • Sinological IPA: /ŋau̯⁵⁵/
• Min Dong
  • (Fuzhou)
    • Bàng-uâ-cê: ngâu
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋɑu²⁴²/
• Min Nan
  • (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/

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• Middle Chinese: /ŋˠau^H/

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
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/ŋˠauH/
Pan Wuyun	/ŋᵚauH/
Shao Rongfen	/ŋauH/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/ŋaɨwH/
Li Rong	/ŋauH/
Wang Li	/ŋauH/
Bernard Karlgren	/ŋauH/
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	‹ ngæwH ›
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

1. (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

Derived terms from 樂

三樂／三乐 仁者樂山／仁者乐山 推賢樂善／推贤乐善

損者三樂／损者三乐 敬業樂群／敬业乐群 (jìngyèlèqún) 樂山樂水／乐山乐水

樂道安貧／乐道安贫 益者三樂／益者三乐 知者樂水／知者乐水

Pronunciation 4

• Mandarin

  (Pinyin): lào, lè (lao⁴, le⁴)

  (Zhuyin): ㄌㄠˋ, ㄌㄜˋ

• Cantonese (Jyutping): lok³

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• 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)⁺
    • Jyutping: lok³
    • Yale: lok
    • Cantonese Pinyin: lok⁸
    • Guangdong Romanization: log³
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔːk̚³/

Definitions

樂

1. 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, 樂, is a variant form of 療.)

Pronunciation 6

• Mandarin

  (Pinyin): luò (luo⁴)

  (Zhuyin): ㄌㄨㄛˋ

• Cantonese (Jyutping): lok⁶

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• 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): /lwɔ⁵¹/
• Cantonese
  • (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou)⁺
    • Jyutping: lok⁶
    • Yale: lohk
    • Cantonese Pinyin: lok⁹
    • Guangdong Romanization: log⁶
    • Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɔːk̚²/

Definitions

樂

1. Used in compounds.

Compounds

Derived terms from 樂

暴樂／暴乐 樂樂／乐乐

樂託／乐托 (“slack, unrestrained, desolate”)

爆樂／爆乐

References

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

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Japanese

Shinjitai	楽
Kyūjitai	樂

Kanji

樂

(“Jinmeiyō” kanji used for names, kyūjitai kanji, shinjitai form 楽)

1. Kyūjitai form of 楽

Readings

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ŋˠau^H):

• 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 ŋˠʌk̚, “music, singing”):

• Go-on: がく (gaku)
• Kan-on: がく (gaku)
• Kun: かなでる (kanaderu, 樂でる)

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC lɑk̚, “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)

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Korean

Etymology 1

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ŋˠʌk̚).

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

Pronunciation

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

Hanja

Wikisource樂 (eumhun 노래 악 (norae ak))

1. Hanja form^? of 악 (“music; tune; melody; song”).

Compounds

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 lɑk̚).

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	락〮 (Yale: lák)
Middle Korean
Text	Eumhun
	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
	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), South Korea 즐길 낙 (jeulgil nak))

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

Compounds

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 ŋˠau^H).

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	ᅌᅭᇢ〮 (Yale: ngyów)
Early Modern Korean
Text	Eumhun
	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))

1. (literary) Hanja form^? of 요 (“to be fond of; to like”).

Compounds

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.

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Vietnamese

Han character

樂: Hán Nôm readings: lạc, nhạc

1. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.