若々しい

• Reading: わかわかしい
• Romaji: wakawakashii
• Kanji breakdown: 若々 (wakawaka) — reduplicated youthfulness | 若 (waka/jaku) — young
• Pronunciation: /wa.ka.wa.ka.ɕiː/

Meaning

Youthful; young-looking; fresh; vibrant. Describes someone or something that radiates the energy and vitality of youth, regardless of age.

An i-adjective formed by reduplicating 若 (young) and adding しい. Unlike just 若い (young), 若々しい emphasises the vivid, energetic quality of youth — it is the right word when someone defies their age with their appearance or spirit, or when a creative work has fresh, vibrant energy. Can describe people, ideas, artworks, and performance styles. The reduplication intensifies the impression of youthfulness.

Examples

1. 七十代とは思えない若々しい肌と体つきで、彼女は周囲を驚かせた。 With youthful skin and a physique that belied her seventies, she astonished everyone around her.
2. 若々しい感性を持ち続けることが、長く第一線で活躍する秘訣だと彼は語る。 He says the secret to staying at the top of his field for so long is maintaining a youthful sensibility.
3. 彼女の若々しい笑顔は、職場の雰囲気を明るくする力を持っていた。 Her vibrant smile had the power to brighten the atmosphere of the entire workplace.

Usage Guide

Context: personal description, media, compliments, health and lifestyle

Tone: admiring

Origin & History

Formed by reduplicating 若 (waka — young) and suffixing with しい. Reduplication in Japanese i-adjectives intensifies the described quality, so 若々しい conveys a more vivid or conspicuous sense of youthfulness than the simple 若い.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General