幸(しあわ)せ

しあわせ
noun, na-adjective
happiness, good fortune
1. happiness
A state of well-being and contentment.
幸(しあわ)せな人生(じんせい)
A happy life
幸(しあわ)せを願(ねが)う。
To wish for happiness.
家族(かぞく)と一緒(いっしょ)にいるときが一番(いちばん)幸(しあわ)せだ。
I'm happiest when I'm with my family.
2. good fortune, luck
Being blessed with favorable circumstances.
あなたに出会(であ)えて幸(しあわ)せです。
I'm fortunate to have met you.
こんなに素晴(すば)らしい仕事(しごと)に就(つ)けて、本当(ほんとう)に幸(しあわ)せなことだ。
It's truly fortunate to have gotten such a wonderful job.
大(おお)きな地震(じしん)があったが、家族(かぞく)が全員(ぜんいん)無事(ぶじ)だったのは幸(しあわ)せだった。
There was a big earthquake, but it was a blessing that the whole family was safe.

幸(しあわ)せ functions as both a noun (happiness) and a na-adjective (happy). A fundamental word for expressing well-being and contentment.

FORMS:

  • Na-adjective: 幸(しあわ)せな人(ひと) (a happy person)
  • Adverbial: 幸(しあわ)せに暮(く)らす (to live happily)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • お幸(しあわ)せに: Best wishes! (said at weddings)
  • 幸(しあわ)せ者(もの): lucky person
  • 幸(しあわ)せを感(かん)じる: to feel happiness
  • 幸(しあわ)せになる: to become happy

KANJI VARIANTS:

  • 幸(しあわ)せ (standard)
  • 仕合(しあわ)せ (archaic/literary)

RELATED:
幸(さいわ)い is a related word meaning "fortunately" (adverb) or "good fortune" (noun), but uses a different reading.

general
Added 2026.1.9 17:28 · Revised 2026.2.23 10:07
02000/02368_shiawase