Meanings of 乐
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Podcast: 乐
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AI study notes for 乐
乐 (lè, happy) vs 开心 (kāixīn, happy) — use 乐 for a more general or musical context, while 开心 emphasizes a specific feeling of joy.
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 乐, as it can mean different things in different tones. In a formal context, it often refers to music, while in informal conversations, it emphasizes happiness. Common collocations include 快乐 (kuàilè, happy) and 音乐 (yīnyuè, music).
乐 is not included in the HSK levels, but it is a useful word for learners at the beginner level due to its emotional and musical meanings. Students should focus on its usage in context, especially in phrases expressing joy.
Learners often confuse 乐 with its other pronunciation yuè, especially when using it as a surname. For example, saying 'lè' when referring to music is correct, but using 'lè' for the surname should be avoided in formal contexts.
Pronunciation of 乐
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Etymology of 乐
Pictograph of an ancient wooden stringed musical instrument. The simplified character 乐 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 樂. The traditional component 白 was removed for simplification.
Simplified form of 樂, a musical instrument with wood 木, strings 幺, and a pick 白
Origin
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Decomposition of 乐
Parts
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How to say happy in Chinese
“happy” in Chinese is乐
The character 乐 (lè) primarily means 'happy' or 'cheerful'. It is also used to denote 'music', making it versatile in both emotional and artistic contexts. Commonly, it appears in expressions of joy and can also function as a surname.
When to use 乐
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 乐, as it can mean different things in different tones. In a formal context, it often refers to music, while in informal conversations, it emphasizes happiness. Common collocations include 快乐 (kuàilè, happy) and 音乐 (yīnyuè, music).
乐 or something close to it
乐 (lè, happy) vs 开心 (kāixīn, happy) — use 乐 for a more general or musical context, while 开心 emphasizes a specific feeling of joy.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 乐 with its other pronunciation yuè, especially when using it as a surname. For example, saying 'lè' when referring to music is correct, but using 'lè' for the surname should be avoided in formal contexts.
Write 乐
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Practice writing 乐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 乐
乐 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
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星期天我想去看电影或听音____会。
On Sunday I want to watch a movie or attend a concert.
Example sentences for 乐 (12)
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Word Family of 乐
Characters with 乐
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Frequently asked questions about 乐
乐 is pronounced with a falling tone, like 'lè', which is different from its other pronunciation 'yuè' when used as a surname.
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