喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく)

きどあいらく
noun
human emotions (joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure)
emotion
1. human emotions; joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure
The four fundamental human emotions: 喜(き) (joy), 怒(ど) (anger), 哀(あい) (sorrow), and 楽(らく) (pleasure). Used collectively to refer to the full range of human emotions.
彼女(かのじょ)は喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく)が激(はげ)しい。
She has intense emotions.
喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく)を顔(かお)に出(だ)さない人(ひと)だ。
He's a person who doesn't show his emotions on his face.
人生(じんせい)は喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく)に満(み)ちている。
Life is full of various emotions.

The four emotions

  • 喜(き): joy, happiness
  • 怒(ど): anger
  • 哀(あい): sorrow, grief
  • 楽(らく): pleasure, enjoyment

Etymology

From classical Chinese philosophy, representing the fundamental emotional states of human beings.

Common patterns

Cultural note

In Japanese culture, controlling or hiding one's 喜怒哀楽(きどあいらく) is often valued, though this is changing in modern times.

general
Added 2026.1.17 2:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05500/05947_kidoairaku