歓喜

• Reading: かんき
• Romaji: kanki
• Kanji breakdown: 歓 (kan) — joy, delight; 喜 (ki) — joy, happiness
• Pronunciation: /kaŋ.ki/

Meaning

Delight; great joy; rapture; ecstasy. An intense, exuberant feeling of happiness that is often shared with others.

A noun expressing the highest degree of joyful emotion, commonly used in formal writing, sports commentary, and ceremonial speech. Often collocates with 歓喜に包まれる (to be enveloped in joy) or 歓喜の声 (cries of delight). More elevated in register than 喜び.

Examples

1. チームが優勝した瞬間、スタジアム全体が歓喜に包まれた。 The moment the team won the championship, the entire stadium was enveloped in joy.
2. 長年の夢が叶い、歓喜の涙が止まらなかった。 A lifelong dream had come true, and tears of elation would not stop flowing.
3. 観客は選手の活躍に歓喜の声を上げた。 The audience erupted in cries of delight at the players' performance.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, formal speech, celebrations

Tone: enthusiastic

Origin & History

Composed of 歓 (kan) meaning 'joy' or 'delight' and 喜 (ki) also meaning 'joy.' The doubling of joyful characters intensifies the emotional force of the compound.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal