noun, na-adjective
A state of physical or mental ease, relaxation, or relief from burden. Often used in phrases like 楽になる (feel better/relieved) or 楽な姿勢 (comfortable posture).
この椅子は座り心地が楽だ。
This chair is comfortable to sit in.
薬を飲んだら少し楽になった。
I felt a little better after taking the medicine.
na-adjective, noun
Describes tasks, methods, or situations that require little effort or are not difficult. Often contrasted with 大変 or 難しい.
この問題は楽に解けた。
I solved this problem easily.
楽な方法で荷物を運ぶ。
Carry the luggage using an easy method.
na-adjective, noun
financially comfortable; well-off
Specifically refers to economic ease or lack of financial hardship. Common in expressions like 生活が楽だ (live comfortably) or 楽な暮らし (easy living).
給料が上がって生活が楽になった。
My salary increased and life became more comfortable.
noun
raku pottery
Abbreviation of 楽焼き (raku-yaki), a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in tea ceremonies. This is a specialized term.
See also: 楽焼き
この茶碗は楽の名品だ。
This tea bowl is a fine piece of raku pottery.
noun
sukha; Buddhist happiness
Buddhist term for a state of happiness or ease, often contrasted with 苦 (suffering). Rare outside religious contexts.
Antonyms: 苦
仏教では、楽は苦の対極にある概念だ。
In Buddhism, sukha is a concept opposite to suffering.
楽しい is an i-adjective meaning 'fun' or 'enjoyable', focusing on emotional pleasure, while 楽 (らく) as an adjectival noun emphasizes physical/mental ease or lack of effort.
気楽 means 'carefree' or 'easygoing', a mental state of being relaxed without worry, whereas 楽 (らく) can refer to physical comfort or general ease.
The kanji 楽 originally depicted a musical instrument, later extended to mean 'music' and then 'pleasure, comfort'. The reading らく is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese).