Translation guide
The quality of being young, fresh, or having the energy and appearance of youth. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns, adjectives, and idiomatic phrases depending on whether you're describing a person's appearance, spirit, or the abstract quality itself.
Describing someone who looks young or has a youthful appearance, often in a positive sense.
An i-adjective meaning 'youthful-looking' or 'fresh'. Commonly used for people who appear younger than their age.
彼女は若々しいですね。
She looks youthful, doesn't she?
若々しい肌を保つ秘訣は何ですか。
What's the secret to keeping youthful skin?
A noun meaning 'youthfulness' or 'youth'. Often used in abstract contexts or when talking about the quality of being young.
彼の若さには驚かされる。
I'm amazed by his youthfulness.
A common phrase meaning 'to look younger than one's age'. Useful for describing someone's youthful appearance.
彼は年より若く見える。
He looks younger than his age.
Referring to the vigor, enthusiasm, or fresh perspective associated with youth.
Also used for youthful energy or spirit. Context determines whether it refers to appearance or inner vitality.
彼の若さあふれる情熱が好きだ。
I like his youthful passion.
The noun form of 若々しい, emphasizing the quality of being youthful in spirit or appearance.
彼女の若々しさは周りを明るくする。
Her youthfulness brightens up the surroundings.
Literally 'feeling young', used to describe someone who has a youthful mindset regardless of age.
祖父は気持ちが若い。
My grandfather is young at heart.
Discussing youthfulness as a general concept, often in formal or literary contexts.
Refers to the springtime of life, adolescence, or the youthful period. Often carries poetic connotations of freshness and vitality.
青春の日々を思い出す。
I recall the days of my youth.
A somewhat literary term for youthful vigor or impetuosity. Often used in set phrases like 若気の至り (youthful indiscretion).
若い (わかい) simply means 'young' in age, while 若々しい emphasizes the appearance or feeling of being youthful, often regardless of actual age. Use 若々しい when you want to compliment someone on looking or acting young.
彼は若いが、落ち着いている。
He is young but mature.
彼は若々しいが、実は50歳だ。
He looks youthful, but he's actually 50.
The English noun 'youthfulness' doesn't have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it as 若さ or 若々しさ works in many contexts, but often a phrase or adjective is more natural. For example, 'She has a youthful energy' is better as 彼女は若々しいエネルギーを持っている rather than a noun-heavy construction.
I did something reckless out of youthful indiscretion.