# 樂

| 樂 | U+6A02, &#27138; CJK UNIFIED IDEOGRAPH-6A02 |
| ← 樁 [U+6A01] | CJK Unified Ideographs | 樃 → [U+6A03] |
| 樂 | U+F914, &#63764; CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F914 |
| ← 邏 [U+F913] | CJK Compatibility Ideographs | 洛 → [U+F915] |
| 樂 | U+F95C, &#63836; CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F95C |
| ← 拏 [U+F95B] | CJK Compatibility Ideographs | 諾 → [U+F95D] |
| 樂 | U+F9BF, &#63935; CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F9BF |
| ← 料 [U+F9BE] | CJK Compatibility Ideographs | 燎 → [U+F9C0] |

## Translingual

| Traditional | 樂 |
| Shinjitai | 楽 |
| Simplified | 乐 |

### Alternative forms

* In the Kangxi Dictionary, mainland China (for its traditional form based on Xin Zixing 新字形), Japanese kanji, Korean hanja and Vietnamese Nôm, the bottom component is written 木, which is the historical form found in the Kangxi dictionary.
* In Taiwan and Hong Kong (based on the Big5 encoding standard), the bottom component is written 朩 without a hook instead.
* Three CJK compatibility ideographs exist at U+F914, U+F95C and U+F9BF. All three forms are the same as the form used in Korean hanja.

### Han character

樂 (Kangxi radical 75, 木+11, 15 strokes, cangjie input 女戈木 (VID), four-corner 2290$_4$, composition ⿱⿲幺白幺木(GHJKV) or ⿱⿲幺白幺⿻十八(T))

#### Derived characters

* 嚛(𪠸), 㜰, 㦡, 擽(𭢫/㧰), 濼(泺), 䑈, 櫟(檪/栎), 爍(𭶒/烁), 瓅(𬍛), 皪, 䁻(䀥), 礫(䃯/砾), 纅, 觻, 䟏, 躒(跞), 轢(𮝩/轹), 䤕, 鑠(𮣏/铄), 鱳, 藥(薬/𣛙)
* 𠘙, 𡾒, 𣋵, 𤢴, 𥽗, 𦘈, 𧔉, 𧭥, 𩟧, 𩧂, 𣡝, 𪇱, 𤻲(𬏤)
* 𭀅, 𫿾

#### Related characters

* 楽 (Japanese shinjitai)
* 乐 (Simplified Chinese)

#### References

* Kangxi Dictionary: page 548, character 20
* Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 15399
* Dae Jaweon: page 936, character 6
* Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 2, page 1280, character 16
* Unihan data for U+6A02
* Unihan data for U+F914
* Unihan data for U+F95C
* Unihan data for U+F9BF

## Chinese

* 樂 (Written Standard Chinese)
* 樂 (Cantonese)

### Glyph origin

Historical forms of the character 樂 :
| Shang | Western Zhou | Spring and Autumn | Warring States | Warring States | Warring States | Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han) | Liushutong (compiled in Ming) |
| Oracle bone script | Bronze inscriptions | Bronze inscriptions | Bronze inscriptions | Chu slip and silk script | Qin slip script | Small seal script | Transcribed ancient scripts |
| | Old Chinese |
| 樂 | *ŋraːwɢs, *raːwɢ, *ŋraːwɢ |
| 轢 | *raːd, *raːwɢ, *reːwɢ |
| 濼 | *pqʰlaːwɢ, *raːwɢ, *reːwɢ, *pqʰloːwɢ, *roːwɢ, *roːwɢ |
| 躒 | *raːwɢ, *reːwɢ |
| 擽 | *rawɢ, *reːwɢ |
| 爍 | *qʰljawɢ |
| 鑠 | *qʰljawɢ |
| 藥 | *lawɢ |
| 櫟 | *lawɢ, *reːwɢ |
| 纅 | *lawɢ |
| 礫 | *reːwɢ |
| 瓅 | *reːwɢ |
| 皪 | *reːwɢ |
| 觻 | *reːwɢ, *roːwɢ |
| 嚛 | *qʰloːwɢ, *qʰloːwɢ |
Ideogrammic compound (會意 / 会意): 糸 (“string”) + 木 (“wood”) – strings on a piece of wood, i.e. a wooden musical instrument.
The oracle bone form shows two strings connected to the wood. In the bronze inscriptions, a 白 (OC *braːɡ) component was added in between the two strings, which may either represent the thumb (fiddling) or a phonetic part.

### Etymology
#### “music; joyful”

    The etymological relationship between “music” and “joy” has been discussed in Wulff (1935) and Unger (1983). Unger draws comparison with the following semantic parallelism in Tibetan: རོལ་མོ (rol mo, “music”) and རོལ (rol, “to enjoy; to amuse oneself; to play”).
    Also comparable is Middle Khmer leṅa (“to play”) and bhleṅa (“(playing) music”), whence Thai เล่น (lên, “to play”) and เพลง (pleeng, “music”).

### Pronunciation 1

* Mandarin
    (Standard)
       (Pinyin): yuè (yue$^4$)
       (Zhuyin): ㄩㄝˋ
    (Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): йүә (yüə, III)
* Cantonese
    (Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): ngok$^6$
    (Taishan, Wiktionary): ngok$^5$
* Gan (Wiktionary): ngoh$^6$
* Hakka
    (Sixian, PFS): ngo̍k
    (Hailu, HRS): ngog$^ˋ$
    (Meixian, Guangdong): ngog$^6$
* Jin (Wiktionary): yeh$^4$
* Northern Min (KCR): ngà
* Eastern Min (BUC): ngŏk
* Southern Min
    (Hokkien, POJ): ga̍k
    (Teochew, Peng'im): ghaoh$^8$ / ngaoh$^8$
* Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): $^8$yaq; $^8$ngoq
* Xiang (Changsha, Wiktionary): io$^6$
* Mandarin
** (Standard Chinese)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: yuè
*** Zhuyin: ㄩㄝˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: yuè
*** Wade–Giles: yüeh$^4$
*** Yale: ywè
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: yueh
*** Palladius: юэ (jue)
*** Sinological IPA : /ɥɛ⁵¹/
** (Dungan)
*** Cyrillic and Wiktionary: йүә (yüə, III)
*** Sinological IPA : /yə⁴⁴/
    (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
* Cantonese
** (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
*** Jyutping: ngok$^6$
*** Yale: ngohk
*** Cantonese Pinyin: ngok$^9$
*** Guangdong Romanization: ngog$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋɔːk̚²/
** (Taishanese, Taicheng)
*** Wiktionary: ngok$^5$
*** Sinological IPA : /ᵑɡɔk̚³²/
* Gan
** (Nanchang)
*** Wiktionary: ngoh$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋɔʔ⁵/
* Hakka
** (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
*** Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ngo̍k
*** Hakka Romanization System: ngog
*** Hagfa Pinyim: ngog$^6$
*** Sinological IPA: /ŋok̚⁵/
** (Hailu, incl. Zhudong)
*** Hakka Romanization System: ngog$^ˋ$
*** Sinological IPA: /ŋok²/
** (Meixian)
*** Guangdong: ngog$^6$
*** Sinological IPA: /ŋɔk̚⁵/
* Jin
** (Taiyuan)
*** Wiktionary: yeh$^4$
*** Sinological IPA (old-style): /yəʔ²/
* Northern Min
** (Jian'ou)
*** Kienning Colloquial Romanized: ngà
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋa⁴²/
* Eastern Min
** (Fuzhou)
*** Bàng-uâ-cê: ngŏk
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋouʔ⁵/
* Southern Min
** (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Jinjiang, General Taiwanese)
*** Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ga̍k
*** Tâi-lô: ga̍k
*** Phofsit Daibuun: gak
*** IPA (Zhangzhou): /ɡak̚¹²¹/
*** IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang): /ɡak̚²⁴/
*** IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /ɡak̚⁴/
** (Teochew)
*** Peng'im: ghaoh$^8$ / ngaoh$^8$
*** Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: ga̍uh / nga̍uh
*** Sinological IPA : /ɡauʔ⁴/, /ŋauʔ⁴/
* Wu
** (Northern: Shanghai)
*** Wugniu: $^8$yaq; $^8$ngoq
*** MiniDict: yah$^入$; ngoh$^入$
*** Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): $^5$hhiaq; $^5$ngoq
*** Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /ɦiaʔ¹²/, /ŋoʔ¹²/
* 5hhiaq - “music”;
* 5ngoq - only in the placename 樂清 in Zhejiang.
* Middle Chinese: ngaewk
Rime :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 2/3 |
| Initial (聲) | 疑 (31) |
| Final (韻) | 覺 (10) |
| Tone (調) | Checked (Ø) |
| Openness (開合) | Open |
| Division (等) | II |
| Fanqie | 五角切 |
| Baxter | ngaewk |
| Reconstructions ||
| Zhengzhang Shangfang | /ŋˠʌk̚/ |
| Pan Wuyun | /ŋᵚɔk̚/ |
| Shao Rongfen | /ŋɔk̚/ |
| Edwin Pulleyblank | /ŋaɨwk̚/ |
| Li Rong | /ŋɔk̚/ |
| Wang Li | /ŋɔk̚/ |
| Bernhard Karlgren | /ŋɔk̚/ |
| Expected Mandarin Reflex | yuè |
| Expected Cantonese Reflex | ngok$^6$ |
* Old Chinese
    (Baxter–Sagart): /*[ŋ]ˤrawk/
    (Zhengzhang): /*ŋraːwɢ/
Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 4/4 |
| Modern Beijing (Pinyin) | yuè |
| Middle Chinese | ‹ ngæwk › |
| Old Chinese | /*[ŋ]ˁrawk/ |
| English | music |
| Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. *[t] as coda may in fact be *-t or *-p; * Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary. ||
Zhengzhang system (2003) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 3/3 |
| No. | 7683 |
| Phonetic component | 樂 |
| Rime group | 藥 |
| Rime subdivision | 1 |
| Corresponding MC rime | 嶽 |
| Old Chinese | /*ŋraːwɢ/ |

#### Definitions

樂
* music; tune; melody; song
    音樂／音乐 ― yīnyuè ― music
    樂隊／乐队 ― yuèduì ― band
    奏樂／奏乐 ― zòuyuè ― to play music
    From: Xunzi, c. 3rd century BCE
    Fú yuè zhě, lè yě. [Pinyin]
    Music, it's about joy.
* (obsolete) to play music; to sing
    From: The Book of Rites, c. 4th – 2nd century BCE
    Dàfū bù shí liáng, shì yǐnjiǔ bù yuè. [Pinyin]
    Great officers will not eat the large grained millet; and (other) officers will not have music (even) at their drinking.
* (obsolete) musician
    From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
    Qí rén guī nǚyuè, Jì Huán Zǐ shòu zhī, sān rì bù cháo, Kǒngzǐ xíng. [Pinyin]
    The people of Qi sent to Lu a present of female musicians, which Ji Huan received, and for three days no court was held. Confucius took his departure.
* (obsolete) musical instrument
* Short for 樂經／乐经 (Yuèjīng, “Classic of Music”).
* a surname
    樂毅／乐毅 ― Yuè Yì ― Yue Yi (a prominent military leader of the State of Yan during the Warring States period)
* (slang) short form for 樂子

##### Usage notes

The surname 樂／乐 (yuè) is different from the surname 樂／乐 (lè).

##### Synonyms

* (music):
* 弦歌 (xiángē) (figurative)
* 音樂 / 音乐 (yīnyuè)
* 音聲 / 音声 (yīnshēng) (literary)

#### Compounds

* 交響樂 / 交响乐 (jiāoxiǎngyuè)
* 交響樂團 / 交响乐团 (jiāoxiǎngyuètuán)
* 仙樂 / 仙乐 (xiānyuè)
* 佛教音樂 / 佛教音乐
* 作樂 / 作乐
* 俗樂 / 俗乐 (súyuè)
* 六樂 / 六乐
* 凱樂 / 凯乐
* 制禮作樂 / 制礼作乐
* 南樂 / 南乐
* 古典音樂 / 古典音乐 (gǔdiǎn yīnyuè)
* 古樂 / 古乐 (gǔyuè)
* 合成樂器 / 合成乐器
* 吹奏樂器 / 吹奏乐器 (chuīzòu yuèqì)
* 吹樂器 / 吹乐器
* 和聲樂器 / 和声乐器
* 哀樂 / 哀乐
* 唐樂 / 唐乐 (tángyuè)
* 器樂 / 器乐 (qìyuè)
* 噪音音樂 / 噪音音乐
* 國家音樂廳 / 国家音乐厅
* 國樂 / 国乐 (guóyuè)
* 國民樂派音樂 / 国民乐派音乐
* 夏威夷音樂 / 夏威夷音乐
* 夔龍禮樂 / 夔龙礼乐
* 天樂 / 天乐
* 奏樂 / 奏乐 (zòuyuè)
* 女樂 / 女乐
* 子卯不樂 / 子卯不乐
* 宗教音樂 / 宗教音乐
* 室內樂 / 室内乐 (shìnèiyuè)
* 室樂 / 室乐 (shìyuè)
* 家樂 / 家乐
* 小山樂府 / 小山乐府
* 底下奏樂 / 底下奏乐
* 弦樂 / 弦乐 (xiányuè)
* 弦樂器 / 弦乐器 (xiányuèqì)
* 心靈音樂 / 心灵音乐
* 悅樂 / 悦乐 (yuèlè)
* 愷樂 / 恺乐
* 房中樂 / 房中乐
* 打擊樂 / 打击乐 (dǎjīyuè)
* 打擊樂器 / 打击乐器 (dǎjī yuèqì)
* 拉丁美洲音樂 / 拉丁美洲音乐
* 搖擺樂 / 摇摆乐
* 搖滾樂 / 摇滚乐 (yáogǔn yuè)
* 撥弦樂器 / 拨弦乐器
* 擦弦樂器 / 擦弦乐器
* 散樂 / 散乐
* 敲擊樂器 / 敲击乐器
* 敲擊音樂 / 敲击音乐
* 文樂傀儡 / 文乐傀儡
* 新爵士樂 / 新爵士乐
* 朝歌暮樂 / 朝歌暮乐
* 木管樂器 / 木管乐器 (mùguǎn yuèqì)
* 樂人 / 乐人
* 樂勝 / 乐胜 (lèshèng)
* 樂句 / 乐句 (yuèjù)
* 樂史 / 乐史
* 樂品 / 乐品
* 樂器 / 乐器 (yuèqì)
* 樂團 / 乐团 (yuètuán)
* 樂壇 / 乐坛 (yuètán)
* 樂婦 / 乐妇
* 樂工 / 乐工 (yuègōng)
* 樂師 / 乐师 (yuèshī)
* 樂床 / 乐床
* 樂府 / 乐府 (yuèfǔ)
* 樂府指迷 / 乐府指迷
* 樂府詩 / 乐府诗 (yuèfǔshī)
* 樂府詩集 / 乐府诗集
* 樂府雜錄 / 乐府杂录
* 樂式 / 乐式
* 樂律 / 乐律 (yuèlǜ)
* 樂戶 / 乐户
* 樂探 / 乐探
* 樂曲 / 乐曲 (yuèqǔ)
* 樂棚 / 乐棚
* 樂歌 / 乐歌 (yuègē)
* 樂正 / 乐正 (yuèzhèng)
* 樂毅 / 乐毅
* 樂毅論 / 乐毅论
* 樂池 / 乐池
* 樂清 / 乐清 (Yuèqīng)
* 樂理 / 乐理 (yuèlǐ)
* 樂籍 / 乐籍
* 樂素 / 乐素
* 樂經 / 乐经 (Yuèjīng)
* 樂翁 / 乐翁
* 樂聖 / 乐圣
* 樂聲 / 乐声
* 樂舞 / 乐舞 (yuèwǔ)
* 樂記 / 乐记
* 樂語 / 乐语
* 樂論 / 乐论
* 樂譜 / 乐谱 (yuèpǔ)
* 樂迷 / 乐迷
* 樂部 / 乐部
* 樂隊 / 乐队 (yuèduì)
* 樂音 / 乐音 (yuèyīn)
* 樂章 / 乐章 (yuèzhāng)
* 標題音樂 / 标题音乐 (biāotí yīnyuè)
* 歌樂 / 歌乐 (gēyuè)
* 民俗音樂 / 民俗音乐
* 民族樂器 / 民族乐器
* 民族樂隊 / 民族乐队
* 民族音樂 / 民族音乐
* 氣鳴樂器 / 气鸣乐器
* 浪漫樂派 / 浪漫乐派
* 清商樂 / 清商乐 (qīngshāngyuè)
* 清樂 / 清乐 (qīngyuè)
* 潮樂 / 潮乐 (cháoyuè)
* 熱門音樂 / 热门音乐
* 燕樂 / 燕乐 (yànyuè)
* 燕樂二十八調 / 燕乐二十八调
* 燕樂半字譜 / 燕乐半字谱
* 燕樂考源 / 燕乐考源
* 爵士樂 / 爵士乐 (juéshìyuè)
* 獨樂樂 / 独乐乐
* 破陣樂 / 破阵乐
* 禮壞樂崩 / 礼坏乐崩
* 禮壞樂缺 / 礼坏乐缺
* 禮崩樂壞 / 礼崩乐坏 (lǐbēngyuèhuài)
* 禮廢樂崩 / 礼废乐崩
* 禮樂 / 礼乐 (lǐyuè)
* 禮樂崩壞 / 礼乐崩坏
* 禮樂為鉤 / 礼乐为钩
* 秦王破陣樂 / 秦王破阵乐
* 移調樂器 / 移调乐器
* 管弦樂 / 管弦乐 (guǎnxiányuè)
* 管弦樂團 / 管弦乐团 (guǎnxián yuètuán)
* 管樂 / 管乐 (guǎnyuè)
* 管樂器 / 管乐器 (guǎnyuèqì)
* 管樂隊 / 管乐队
* 簧樂器 / 簧乐器 (huángyuèqì)
* 粗樂 / 粗乐
* 細樂 / 细乐
* 絕對音樂 / 绝对音乐 (juéduì yīnyuè)
* 絲竹樂 / 丝竹乐
* 網路音樂廳 / 网路音乐厅
* 聆樂 / 聆乐
* 聖樂 / 圣乐
* 聲樂 / 声乐 (shēngyuè)
* 背景音樂 / 背景音乐 (bèijǐng yīnyuè)
* 胡樂 / 胡乐
* 能樂 / 能乐 (néngyuè)
* 膜鳴樂器 / 膜鸣乐器
* 舉酒作樂 / 举酒作乐
* 舞樂 / 舞乐
* 衣冠禮樂 / 衣冠礼乐
* 西樂 / 西乐 (xīyuè)
* 西海岸爵士樂 / 西海岸爵士乐
* 西班牙音樂 / 西班牙音乐
* 詩書禮樂 / 诗书礼乐
* 軍樂 / 军乐 (jūnyuè)
* 軍樂隊 / 军乐队 (jūnyuèduì)
* 輕音樂 / 轻音乐 (qīngyīnyuè)
* 鄉村音樂 / 乡村音乐 (xiāngcūn yīnyuè)
* 配樂 / 配乐 (pèiyuè)
* 鈞天廣樂 / 钧天广乐
* 鈞天樂 / 钧天乐
* 銅管樂器 / 铜管乐器 (tóngguǎn yuèqì)
* 銅管樂隊 / 铜管乐队 (tóngguǎn yuèduì)
* 鍵盤樂器 / 键盘乐器 (jiànpán yuèqì)
* 雅樂 / 雅乐 (yǎyuè)
* 電子音樂 / 电子音乐 (diànzǐ yīnyuè)
* 電樂器 / 电乐器
* 電腦音樂 / 电脑音乐
* 靡靡之樂 / 靡靡之乐 (mǐmǐzhīyuè)
* 音樂 / 音乐 (yīnyuè)
* 音樂劇 / 音乐剧 (yīnyuèjù)
* 音樂卡 / 音乐卡
* 音樂圖書館 / 音乐图书馆
* 音樂家 / 音乐家 (yīnyuèjiā)
* 音樂廳 / 音乐厅 (yīnyuètīng)
* 音樂會 / 音乐会 (yīnyuèhuì)
* 音樂治療 / 音乐治疗 (yīnyuè zhìliáo)
* 音樂片 / 音乐片
* 音樂盒 / 音乐盒 (yīnyuèhé)
* 音樂站 / 音乐站
* 音樂節 / 音乐节 (yīnyuèjié)
* 音樂臺 / 音乐台
* 音樂鋸 / 音乐锯
* 音樂電鈴 / 音乐电铃
* 韶樂 / 韶乐
* 黑人音樂 / 黑人音乐 (hēirén yīnyuè)
* 鼓吹樂 / 鼓吹乐
* 鼓樂 / 鼓乐
* 鼓樂喧天

#### Descendants

* → Japanese: 楽(がく) (gaku)
* → Korean: 악(樂) (ak)
* → Vietnamese: nhạc (樂)

### Pronunciation 2

* Mandarin
    (Standard)
       (Pinyin): lè (le$^4$)
       (Zhuyin): ㄌㄜˋ
    (Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): луә (luə, I)
* Cantonese
    (Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): lok$^6$
    (Taishan, Wiktionary): lok$^5$
* Gan (Wiktionary): loh$^6$
* Hakka
    (Sixian, PFS): lo̍k
    (Hailu, HRS): log$^ˋ$
    (Meixian, Guangdong): log$^6$
* Jin (Wiktionary): luah$^4$
* Northern Min (KCR): lŏ̤
* Eastern Min (BUC): lŏk
* Southern Min
    (Hokkien, POJ): lo̍k
    (Teochew, Peng'im): lag$^8$
* Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): $^8$loq
* Xiang (Changsha, Wiktionary): lo$^6$
* Mandarin
** (Standard Chinese)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: lè
*** Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: lè
*** Wade–Giles: lê$^4$
*** Yale: lè
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
*** Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
*** Sinological IPA : /lɤ⁵¹/
** (Dungan)
*** Cyrillic and Wiktionary: луә (luə, I)
*** Sinological IPA : /luə²⁴/
    (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
* Cantonese
** (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
*** Jyutping: lok$^6$
*** Yale: lohk
*** Cantonese Pinyin: lok$^9$
*** Guangdong Romanization: log$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔːk̚²/
** (Taishanese, Taicheng)
*** Wiktionary: lok$^5$
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔk̚³²/
* Gan
** (Nanchang)
*** Wiktionary: loh$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔʔ⁵/
* Hakka
** (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
*** Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: lo̍k
*** Hakka Romanization System: log
*** Hagfa Pinyim: log$^6$
*** Sinological IPA: /lok̚⁵/
** (Hailu, incl. Zhudong)
*** Hakka Romanization System: log$^ˋ$
*** Sinological IPA: /lok²/
** (Meixian)
*** Guangdong: log$^6$
*** Sinological IPA: /lɔk̚⁵/
* Jin
** (Taiyuan)
*** Wiktionary: luah$^4$
*** Sinological IPA (old-style): /luaʔ²/
* Northern Min
** (Jian'ou)
*** Kienning Colloquial Romanized: lŏ̤
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔ²⁴/
* Eastern Min
** (Fuzhou)
*** Bàng-uâ-cê: lŏk
*** Sinological IPA : /l̃ouʔ⁵/
* Southern Min
** (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Jinjiang, General Taiwanese)
*** Pe̍h-ōe-jī: lo̍k
*** Tâi-lô: lo̍k
*** Phofsit Daibuun: lok
*** IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang): /lɔk̚²⁴/
*** IPA (Zhangzhou): /lɔk̚¹²¹/
*** IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /lɔk̚⁴/
** (Teochew)
*** Peng'im: lag$^8$
*** Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: la̍k
*** Sinological IPA : /lak̚⁴/
* Wu
** (Northern: Shanghai)
*** Wugniu: $^8$loq
*** MiniDict: loh$^入$
*** Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): $^5$loq
*** Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /loʔ¹²/
* Xiang
** (Changsha)
*** Wiktionary: lo$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /lo²⁴/
* Middle Chinese: lak
Rime :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 3/3 |
| Initial (聲) | 來 (37) |
| Final (韻) | 鐸 (103) |
| Tone (調) | Checked (Ø) |
| Openness (開合) | Open |
| Division (等) | I |
| Fanqie | 盧各切 |
| Baxter | lak |
| Reconstructions ||
| Zhengzhang Shangfang | /lɑk̚/ |
| Pan Wuyun | /lɑk̚/ |
| Shao Rongfen | /lɑk̚/ |
| Edwin Pulleyblank | /lak̚/ |
| Li Rong | /lɑk̚/ |
| Wang Li | /lɑk̚/ |
| Bernhard Karlgren | /lɑk̚/ |
| Expected Mandarin Reflex | luò |
| Expected Cantonese Reflex | lok$^6$ |
* Old Chinese
    (Baxter–Sagart): /*[r]ˤawk/
    (Zhengzhang): /*raːwɢ/
Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 2/4 |
| Modern Beijing (Pinyin) | lè |
| Middle Chinese | ‹ lak › |
| Old Chinese | /*[r]ˁawk/ |
| English | joy; enjoy |
| Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. *[t] as coda may in fact be *-t or *-p; * Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary. ||
Zhengzhang system (2003) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 2/3 |
| No. | 7673 |
| Phonetic component | 樂 |
| Rime group | 藥 |
| Rime subdivision | 1 |
| Corresponding MC rime | 落 |
| Old Chinese | /*raːwɢ/ |

#### Definitions

樂
* joyful; happy; glad
    Synonym: 快 (kuài)
    樂不可支／乐不可支 ― lèbùkězhī ― to be overwhelmed with joy
    心裡樂開了花／心里乐开了花 ― xīnlǐ lè kāi le huā ― to be overjoyed
    From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
    Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, bù yì lè hū? [Pinyin]
    Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
    From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
    Dú yuè lè, yǔ rén yuè lè, shú lè? [Pinyin]
    Which is the more pleasant — to enjoy music by yourself alone, or to enjoy it with others?
* happiness; joy; pleasure
    From: Wenkang, Ernü Yingxiongzhuan, 1878 CE
    Nà shíhòu, xiāoxián wúshì, wǒ zhǎo le nǐmen lǎo dìxiōng men lái, xún ge shù yīnliángr, zánmen dàjiā duō hē liǎng chǎngzǐ, qǐ bùshì ge lèr ma? [Pinyin]
    (please add an English translation of this usage example)
* (obsolete) lasciviousness; lechery; decadence
    From: Guoyu, circa 4th century BCE
    Jīn Wú wáng yín yú lè ér wàng qí bǎixìng. [Pinyin]
    (please add an English translation of this usage example)
* to laugh; to smile
       Nǐ bǎ wǒ dòulè le. [Pinyin]
       You amused me./You made me laugh.
* to enjoy; to love
    樂此不疲／乐此不疲 ― lècǐbùpí ― to never get tired of it
    From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
    Qián Qín yǐ bá Shàngdǎng, Shàngdǎng mín bù lè wéi Qín ér guī zhào. [Pinyin]
    (please add an English translation of this usage example)
* (Cantonese) Short for 可樂／可乐 (kělè, “cola”).
* 24th tetragram of the Taixuanjing; "joy" (𝌝)
* a surname

##### Usage notes

The surname 樂／乐 (lè) is different from the surname 樂／乐 (yuè).

##### Synonyms

* (to laugh; to smile):
| Variety | Location | Words |
| Formal (Written Standard Chinese) | Formal (Written Standard Chinese) | 笑 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Beijing | 樂, 笑 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Taiwan | 笑 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Harbin | 樂 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Malaysia | 笑 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Singapore | 笑 |
| Northeastern Mandarin | Olginsky (Mikhaylovka) | 笑 |
| Jilu Mandarin | Jinan | 笑 |
| Central Plains Mandarin | Wanrong | 笑 |
| Central Plains Mandarin | Xi'an | 笑 |
| Southwestern Mandarin | Chengdu | 笑 |
| Southwestern Mandarin | Wuhan | 笑, 奢 |
| Southwestern Mandarin | Guilin | 笑 |
| Jianghuai Mandarin | Yangzhou | 笑 |
| Jianghuai Mandarin | Hefei | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Guangzhou | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Hong Kong | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Yangjiang | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Beihai | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Beihai (Qiaogang - Cô Tô) | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Beihai (Qiaogang - Cát Bà) | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Fangchenggang (Fangcheng) | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Ho Chi Minh City (Guangfu) | 笑 |
| Cantonese | Móng Cái | 笑 |
| Gan | Nanchang | 笑 |
| Gan | Pingxiang | 笑 |
| Hakka | Meixian | 笑 |
| Hakka | Miaoli (N. Sixian) | 笑 |
| Hakka | Pingtung (Neipu; S. Sixian) | 笑 |
| Hakka | Hsinchu County (Zhudong; Hailu) | 笑 |
| Hakka | Taichung (Dongshi; Dabu) | 笑 |
| Hakka | Hsinchu County (Qionglin; Raoping) | 笑 |
| Hakka | Yunlin (Lunbei; Zhao'an) | 笑 |
| Huizhou | Jixi | 笑 |
| Jin | Taiyuan | 笑 |
| Northern Min | Jian'ou | 笑 |
| Eastern Min | Fuzhou | 笑 |
| Southern Min | Xiamen | 笑 |
| Southern Min | Quanzhou | 笑 |
| Southern Min | Zhangzhou | 笑 |
| Southern Min | Manila (Hokkien) | 笑 |
| Southern Min | Chaozhou | 笑 |
| Southern Pinghua | Nanning (Tingzi) | 笑 |
| Southern Pinghua | Binyang | 笑 |
| Shehua | Fu'an | 笑 |
| Shehua | Fuding | 笑 |
| Shehua | Luoyuan | 笑 |
| Shehua | Sanming | 笑 |
| Shehua | Shunchang | 笑 |
| Shehua | Hua'an | 笑 |
| Shehua | Guixi (Zhangping) | 笑 |
| Shehua | Cangnan | 笑 |
| Shehua | Jingning (Hexi) | 笑 |
| Shehua | Lishui | 笑 |
| Shehua | Longyou | 笑 |
| Shehua | Chaozhou | 笑 |
| Shehua | Fengshun | 笑 |
| Waxiang | Guzhang (Gaofeng) | 笑 |
| Waxiang | Yuanling (Shaojiwan) | 笑 |
| Waxiang | Luxi (Baisha) | 笑 |
| Wu | Shanghai | 笑 |
| Wu | Suzhou | 笑 |
| Wu | Danyang | 笑 |
| Wu | Hangzhou | 笑 |
| Wu | Wenzhou | 笑 |
| Xiang | Changsha | 笑 |
| Xiang | Shuangfeng | 笑 |

#### Compounds

* 三樂 / 三乐
* 不亦樂乎 / 不亦乐乎 (bùyìlèhū)
* 不樂 / 不乐 (bùlè)
* 不樂觀 / 不乐观
* 于飛之樂 / 于飞之乐
* 享樂 / 享乐 (xiǎnglè)
* 享樂主義 / 享乐主义 (xiǎnglè zhǔyì)
* 佚樂 / 佚乐
* 作樂 / 作乐
* 伯樂 / 伯乐 (Bólè)
* 伯樂一顧 / 伯乐一顾 (Bólè yī gù)
* 何樂不為 / 何乐不为 (hélèbùwéi)
* 何樂而不為 / 何乐而不为 (hé lè ér bù wéi)
* 俱樂部 / 俱乐部 (jùlèbù)
* 假樂 / 假乐
* 傻樂 / 傻乐
* 優樂 / 优乐
* 先憂後樂 / 先忧后乐
* 兒童樂園 / 儿童乐园 (értóng lèyuán)
* 其樂不窮 / 其乐不穷
* 其樂無比 / 其乐无比
* 其樂無窮 / 其乐无穷 (qílèwúqióng)
* 其樂融融 / 其乐融融 (qílèróngróng)
* 利樂 / 利乐
* 利樂包 / 利乐包 (lìlèbāo)
* 刮刮樂 / 刮刮乐 (guāguālè)
* 助人為樂 / 助人为乐 (zhùrénwéilè)
* 博樂 / 博乐 (Bólè)
* 及時行樂 / 及时行乐 (jíshíxínglè)
* 取樂 / 取乐 (qǔlè)
* 可共患難不可共安樂 / 可共患难不可共安乐
* 可樂 / 可乐 (kělè)
* 可與共患難，不可與共樂 / 可与共患难，不可与共乐
* 吃喝玩樂 / 吃喝玩乐 (chīhēwánlè)
* 同樂 / 同乐 (tónglè)
* 同樂會 / 同乐会
* 吉樂餅 / 吉乐饼 (jílèbǐng)
* 君子三樂 / 君子三乐
* 和樂 / 和乐 (hélè)
* 咍樂 / 咍乐
* 哀樂 / 哀乐
* 喜怒哀樂 / 喜怒哀乐 (xǐnù'āilè)
* 喜聞樂見 / 喜闻乐见 (xǐwénlèjiàn)
* 大家樂 / 大家乐
* 天倫之樂 / 天伦之乐 (tiānlúnzhīlè)
* 天樂 / 天乐
* 好善樂施 / 好善乐施
* 好施樂善 / 好施乐善
* 娛樂 / 娱乐 (yúlè)
* 娛樂場所 / 娱乐场所
* 娛樂片 / 娱乐片
* 娛樂稅 / 娱乐税
* 媽媽樂 / 妈妈乐
* 安和樂利 / 安和乐利
* 安土樂業 / 安土乐业
* 安堵樂業 / 安堵乐业
* 安家樂業 / 安家乐业
* 安居樂業 / 安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè)
* 安樂 / 安乐 (ānlè)
* 安樂世界 / 安乐世界
* 安樂公主 / 安乐公主
* 安樂國 / 安乐国
* 安樂椅 / 安乐椅 (ānlèyǐ)
* 安樂死 / 安乐死 (ānlèsǐ)
* 安樂窩 / 安乐窝 (ānlèwō)
* 安貧樂賤 / 安贫乐贱
* 安貧樂道 / 安贫乐道 (ānpínlèdào)
* 安身樂業 / 安身乐业
* 宴樂 / 宴乐
* 富強康樂 / 富强康乐
* 寓教於樂 / 寓教于乐 (yùjiàoyúlè)
* 尋樂 / 寻乐
* 尋歡作樂 / 寻欢作乐 (xúnhuānzuòlè)
* 干樂 (kan-lo̍k) (Min Nan)
* 平樂 / 平乐 (Pínglè)
* 幸災樂禍 / 幸灾乐祸 (xìngzāilèhuò)
* 幾家歡樂幾家愁 / 几家欢乐几家愁 (jǐ jiā huānlè jǐ jiā chóu)
* 康樂 / 康乐 (kānglè)
* 康樂活動 / 康乐活动
* 忽忽不樂 / 忽忽不乐
* 快樂 / 快乐 (kuàilè)
* 快樂丸 / 快乐丸 (kuàilèwán)
* 快樂主義 / 快乐主义 (kuàilè zhǔyì)
* 怏怏不樂 / 怏怏不乐
* 怡然自樂 / 怡然自乐
* 悒悒不樂 / 悒悒不乐
* 悶悶不樂 / 闷闷不乐 (mènmènbùlè)
* 愛心刮刮樂 / 爱心刮刮乐
* 慘然不樂 / 惨然不乐
* 找樂子 / 找乐子 (zhǎo lèzi)
* 曲肱之樂 / 曲肱之乐
* 朝歡暮樂 / 朝欢暮乐
* 村天樂 / 村天乐
* 森林遊樂區 / 森林游乐区
* 極樂 / 极乐 (jílè)
* 極樂世界 / 极乐世界 (jílè shìjiè)
* 極樂鳥 / 极乐鸟 (jílèniǎo)
* 樂不可支 / 乐不可支 (lèbùkězhī)
* 樂不可極 / 乐不可极
* 樂不可言 / 乐不可言
* 樂不思蜀 / 乐不思蜀 (lèbùsīshǔ)
* 樂事 / 乐事 (lèshì)
* 樂以忘憂 / 乐以忘忧
* 樂兒 / 乐儿 (lèr)
* 樂利 / 乐利
* 樂和 / 乐和
* 樂呵 / 乐呵
* 樂呵呵 / 乐呵呵 (lèhēhē)
* 樂善 / 乐善 (lèshàn)
* 樂善不倦 / 乐善不倦
* 樂善好施 / 乐善好施 (lèshànhàoshī)
* 樂善好義 / 乐善好义
* 樂嘻嘻
* 樂國 / 乐国
* 樂園 / 乐园 (lèyuán)
* 樂土 / 乐土 (lètǔ)
* 樂在其中 / 乐在其中 (lèzàiqízhōng)
* 樂境 / 乐境
* 樂天 / 乐天 (lètiān)
* 樂天安命 / 乐天安命
* 樂天派 / 乐天派 (lètiānpài)
* 樂天知命 / 乐天知命 (lètiānzhīmìng)
* 樂子 / 乐子 (lèzi)
* 樂子館 / 乐子馆
* 樂山 / 乐山 (Lèshān)
* 樂得 / 乐得 (lèdé)
* 樂意 / 乐意 (lèyì)
* 樂戶 / 乐户
* 樂捐 / 乐捐 (lèjuān)
* 樂施 / 乐施
* 樂易 / 乐易
* 樂昌分破鏡 / 乐昌分破镜
* 樂昌破鏡 / 乐昌破镜
* 樂普 / 乐普 (lèpǔ)
* 樂業 / 乐业 (lèyè)
* 樂極則悲 / 乐极则悲
* 樂業安居 / 乐业安居
* 樂極忘形 / 乐极忘形
* 樂極悲來 / 乐极悲来
* 樂極悲生 / 乐极悲生
* 樂極生悲 / 乐极生悲 (lèjíshēngbēi)
* 樂樂陶陶 / 乐乐陶陶
* 樂此不倦 / 乐此不倦
* 樂此不疲 / 乐此不疲 (lècǐbùpí)
* 樂歲 / 乐岁
* 樂浪 / 乐浪 (Lèlàng)
* 樂滋滋 / 乐滋滋 (lèzīzī)
* 樂禍 / 乐祸
* 樂禍幸災 / 乐祸幸灾
* 樂紋兒 / 乐纹儿
* 樂群 / 乐群
* 樂而不淫 / 乐而不淫 (lè'érbùyín)
* 樂而不荒 / 乐而不荒
* 樂而忘憂 / 乐而忘忧
* 樂而忘歸 / 乐而忘归
* 樂而忘返 / 乐而忘返
* 樂育 / 乐育
* 樂處 / 乐处
* 樂融融 / 乐融融 (lèróngróng)
* 樂觀 / 乐观 (lèguān)
* 樂觀主義 / 乐观主义 (lèguān zhǔyì)
* 樂觀其成 / 乐观其成 (lèguānqíchéng)
* 樂觀進取 / 乐观进取 (lèguān jìnqǔ)
* 樂託 / 乐托
* 樂貧甘賤 / 乐贫甘贱
* 樂趣 / 乐趣 (lèqù)
* 樂輸 / 乐输
* 樂透 / 乐透 (lètòu)
* 樂道 / 乐道 (lèdào)
* 樂遊原 / 乐游原
* 樂陶陶 / 乐陶陶 (lètáotáo)
* 欣然自樂 / 欣然自乐
* 歌舞作樂 / 歌舞作乐
* 歡樂 / 欢乐 (huānlè)
* 永樂 / 永乐 (Yǒnglè)
* 永樂大典 / 永乐大典 (Yǒnglè Dàdiǎn)
* 永樂宮 / 永乐宫
* 永樂窯 / 永乐窑
* 永樂錢 / 永乐钱
* 泰極還生否，樂處又逢悲 / 泰极还生否，乐处又逢悲
* 泌水樂飢 / 泌水乐饥
* 津津樂道 / 津津乐道 (jīnjīnlèdào)
* 為善最樂 / 为善最乐 (wéishàn zuì lè)
* 燕樂 / 燕乐 (yànyuè)
* 狄斯奈樂園 / 狄斯奈乐园
* 狄斯耐樂園 / 狄斯耐乐园
* 玩樂 / 玩乐 (wánlè)
* 甘貧樂道 / 甘贫乐道
* 生於憂患，死於安樂 / 生于忧患，死于安乐 (shēng yú yōuhuàn, sǐ yú ānlè)
* 白樂天 / 白乐天
* 百樂 / 百乐 (Bǎilè)
* 知命樂天 / 知命乐天
* 知足常樂 / 知足常乐 (zhīzúchánglè)
* 知魚之樂 / 知鱼之乐
* 磨喝樂 / 磨喝乐
* 耽樂 / 耽乐
* 育樂 / 育乐 (yùlè)
* 自得其樂 / 自得其乐 (zìdéqílè)
* 至樂 / 至乐
* 與民偕樂 / 与民偕乐
* 與民同樂 / 与民同乐
* 般樂 / 般乐
* 芭樂 / 芭乐 (bālè)
* 芭樂票 / 芭乐票 (bālèpiào)
* 苦中作樂 / 苦中作乐 (kǔzhōngzuòlè)
* 苦樂 / 苦乐
* 莎樂美 / 莎乐美 (shālèměi)
* 蓮花樂 / 莲花乐
* 行樂 / 行乐 (xínglè)
* 行樂圖 / 行乐图
* 衾枕之樂 / 衾枕之乐
* 西方極樂世界 / 西方极乐世界
* 豐樂 / 丰乐 (Fēnglè)
* 豐樂亭 / 丰乐亭
* 財去身安樂 / 财去身安乐
* 貧而樂道 / 贫而乐道
* 買樂 / 买乐
* 賞心樂事 / 赏心乐事
* 躬耕樂道 / 躬耕乐道
* 迪斯尼樂園 / 迪斯尼乐园 (Dísīní lèyuán)
* 追歡取樂 / 追欢取乐
* 逢場作樂 / 逢场作乐
* 逗樂 / 逗乐 (dòulè)
* 逸樂 / 逸乐
* 進酒作樂 / 进酒作乐 (jìnjiǔzuòlè)
* 遊樂 / 游乐 (yóulè)
* 遊樂場 / 游乐场 (yóulèchǎng)
* 遊樂林 / 游乐林
* 酣樂 / 酣乐
* 長樂 / 长乐 (chánglè)
* 長樂宮 / 长乐宫 (Chánglègōng)
* 長樂未央 / 长乐未央
* 隨緣樂助 / 随缘乐助
* 電視遊樂器 / 电视游乐器 (diànshì yóulèqì)
* 風吹鴨蛋殼，財去人安樂 / 风吹鸭蛋壳，财去人安乐
* 飲酒作樂 / 饮酒作乐
* 饒樂 / 饶乐
* 高樂 / 高乐
* 鬱鬱不樂 / 郁郁不乐 (yùyùbùlè)
* 魚樂 / 鱼乐

#### Descendants

* → Japanese: 楽(らく) (raku)
* → Korean: 락/낙(樂) (rak/nak)
* → Vietnamese: lạc (樂)

### Pronunciation 3

* Mandarin
    (Pinyin): lè, yào (le$^4$, yao$^4$)
    (Zhuyin): ㄌㄜˋ, ㄧㄠˋ
* Cantonese (Jyutping): ngaau$^6$
* Hakka (Sixian, PFS): ngau
* Eastern Min (BUC): ngâu
* Southern Min (Hokkien, POJ): ngāu
* Wu (Shanghai, Wugniu): $^6$yau
* Mandarin
** (Standard Chinese, standard in Mainland)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: lè
*** Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: lè
*** Wade–Giles: lê$^4$
*** Yale: lè
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
*** Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
*** Sinological IPA : /lɤ⁵¹/
** (Standard Chinese, standard in Taiwan, literary variant in Mainland)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: yào
*** Zhuyin: ㄧㄠˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: yào
*** Wade–Giles: yao$^4$
*** Yale: yàu
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: yaw
*** Palladius: яо (jao)
*** Sinological IPA : /jɑʊ̯⁵¹/
* Cantonese
** (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
*** Jyutping: ngaau$^6$
*** Yale: ngaauh
*** Cantonese Pinyin: ngaau$^6$
*** Guangdong Romanization: ngao$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋaːu̯²²/
* Hakka
** (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
*** Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ngau
*** Hakka Romanization System: ngau
*** Hagfa Pinyim: ngau$^4$
*** Sinological IPA: /ŋau̯⁵⁵/
* Eastern Min
** (Fuzhou)
*** Bàng-uâ-cê: ngâu
*** Sinological IPA : /ŋɑu²⁴²/
* Southern Min
** (Hokkien)
*** Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ngāu
*** Tâi-lô: ngāu
*** Phofsit Daibuun: ngau
*** IPA (Xiamen): /ŋãu²²/
*** IPA (Quanzhou): /ŋãu⁴¹/
*** IPA (Zhangzhou): /ŋãu²²/
*** IPA (Taipei): /ŋãu³³/
*** IPA (Kaohsiung): /ŋãu³³/
* Wu
** (Northern: Shanghai)
*** Wugniu: $^6$yau
*** MiniDict: yau$^去$
*** Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): $^3$hhiau
*** Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /ɦiɔ²³/
* Middle Chinese: ngaewH
Rime :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 1/3 |
| Initial (聲) | 疑 (31) |
| Final (韻) | 肴 (90) |
| Tone (調) | Departing (H) |
| Openness (開合) | Open |
| Division (等) | II |
| Fanqie | 五敎切 |
| Baxter | ngaewH |
| Reconstructions ||
| Zhengzhang Shangfang | /ŋˠau$^H$/ |
| Pan Wuyun | /ŋᵚau$^H$/ |
| Shao Rongfen | /ŋau$^H$/ |
| Edwin Pulleyblank | /ŋaɨw$^H$/ |
| Li Rong | /ŋau$^H$/ |
| Wang Li | /ŋau$^H$/ |
| Bernhard Karlgren | /ŋau$^H$/ |
| Expected Mandarin Reflex | yào |
| Expected Cantonese Reflex | ngaau$^6$ |
* Old Chinese
    (Baxter–Sagart): /*[ŋ]ˤrawk-s/
    (Zhengzhang): /*ŋraːwɢs/
Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 3/4 |
| Modern Beijing (Pinyin) | yào |
| Middle Chinese | ‹ ngæw$^H$ › |
| Old Chinese | /*[ŋ]ˁrawk-s/ |
| English | cause to rejoice |
| Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. *[t] as coda may in fact be *-t or *-p; * Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary. ||
Zhengzhang system (2003) :
| Character | 樂 |
| Reading # | 1/3 |
| No. | 7670 |
| Phonetic component | 樂 |
| Rime group | 豹 |
| Rime subdivision | 1 |
| Corresponding MC rime | 樂 |
| Old Chinese | /*ŋraːwɢs/ |

#### Definitions

樂
* (obsolete) to be fond of; to enjoy; to appreciate
    From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
    Zhì zhě yào shuǐ, rén zhě yào shān. [Pinyin]
    The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills.
    From: c. early 9th century, 柳宗元 (Liu Zongyuan),《愚溪詩序》, translation based on Luo Jingguo's version
    Fú shuǐ, zhìzhě yào yě. Jīn shì xī dú jiàn rǔ yú yú, hé zāi? Gài […] yōusuì qiǎnxiá, jiāolóng bùxiè, bùnéng xīng yúnyǔ. Wúyǐ lì shì, ér shì lèi yú yú, ránzé suī rǔ ér yú zhī kě yě. [Pinyin]
    Water is liked by all wise men. But why does the very creek here suffer humiliation by being called folly? It is because [...] it’s so dark, long, narrow, and shallow that a dragon would disdain to live here to do good things for the benefit of the people by summoning wind and rain. Hence this creek and I are quite alike, and I feel it all right to humiliate it by calling it Folly Creek.

#### Compounds

* 三樂 / 三乐
* 仁者樂山 / 仁者乐山
* 推賢樂善 / 推贤乐善
* 損者三樂 / 损者三乐
* 敬業樂群 / 敬业乐群
* 樂山樂水 / 乐山乐水
* 樂道安貧 / 乐道安贫
* 益者三樂 / 益者三乐
* 知者樂水 / 知者乐水

#### Descendants

* → Korean: 요(樂) (yo)

### Pronunciation 4

* Mandarin
    (Pinyin): lào, lè (lao$^4$, le$^4$)
    (Zhuyin): ㄌㄠˋ, ㄌㄜˋ
* Cantonese (Jyutping): lok$^3$
* Mandarin
** (Standard Chinese)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: lào
*** Zhuyin: ㄌㄠˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: lào
*** Wade–Giles: lao$^4$
*** Yale: làu
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: law
*** Palladius: лао (lao)
*** Sinological IPA : /lɑʊ̯⁵¹/
** (Standard Chinese, variant)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: lè
*** Zhuyin: ㄌㄜˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: lè
*** Wade–Giles: lê$^4$
*** Yale: lè
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: leh
*** Palladius: лэ (lɛ)
*** Sinological IPA : /lɤ⁵¹/
* Cantonese
** (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
*** Jyutping: lok$^3$
*** Yale: lok
*** Cantonese Pinyin: lok$^8$
*** Guangdong Romanization: log$^3$
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔːk̚³/

#### Definitions

樂
* Used in place names.
    樂亭／乐亭 ― Làotíng ― Laoting (county of Hebei)
    樂陵／乐陵 ― Làolíng ― Laoling (county-level city in Shandong)

### Pronunciation 5

* For pronunciation and definitions of 樂 – see 療 (“to treat; to cure; to heal; therapy; treatment”). (This character is a variant form of 療).

### Pronunciation 6

* Mandarin
    (Pinyin): luò (luo$^4$)
    (Zhuyin): ㄌㄨㄛˋ
* Cantonese (Jyutping): lok$^6$
* Mandarin
** (Standard Chinese)
*** Hanyu Pinyin: luò
*** Zhuyin: ㄌㄨㄛˋ
*** Tongyong Pinyin: luò
*** Wade–Giles: lo$^4$
*** Yale: lwò
*** Gwoyeu Romatzyh: luoh
*** Palladius: ло (lo)
*** Sinological IPA : /lu̯ɔ⁵¹/
* Cantonese
** (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
*** Jyutping: lok$^6$
*** Yale: lohk
*** Cantonese Pinyin: lok$^9$
*** Guangdong Romanization: log$^6$
*** Sinological IPA : /lɔːk̚²/

#### Definitions

樂
* Used in compounds.

#### Compounds

* 暴樂 / 暴乐
* 樂樂 / 乐乐
* 樂託 / 乐托 (“slack, unrestrained, desolate”)
* 爆樂 / 爆乐

### References

* “樂”, in 漢語多功能字庫 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎, 香港中文大學 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–

## Japanese

| Shinjitai | 楽 |
| Kyūjitai | 樂 |

### Kanji

(Jinmeiyō kanji, kyūjitai kanji, shinjitai form 楽)
* Kyūjitai form of 楽

#### Readings

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewH):
* Go-on: ぎょう (gyō)
* Kan-on: ごう (gō)
From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewk, “music, singing”):
* Go-on: がく (gaku)
* Kan-on: がく (gaku)
From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC lak, “comfort, ease”):
* Go-on: らく (raku)
* Kan-on: らく (raku)
* Kan’yō-on: ろう (rō)
* Kun: このむ (konomu, 樂む)、かなでる (kanaderu, 樂でる)、たのしい (tanoshii, 樂しい)、たのしむ (tanoshimu, 樂しむ)、たのしみ (tanoshimi, 樂しみ)
* Nanori: ささ (sasa)、もと (moto)、よし (yoshi)

## Korean
### Etymology 1

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewk).
Historical Readings :
| Dongguk Jeongun Reading |||
| Dongguk Jeongun, 1448 | ᅌᅡᆨ〮 (Yale: ngák) | ᅌᅡᆨ〮 (Yale: ngák) |
| Middle Korean |||
| Text | Eumhun | Eumhun |
| Text | Gloss (hun) | Reading |
| Hunmong Jahoe, 1527 | 음악〮 (Yale: ùm-ák) | 악〮 (Yale: ák) |
| Early Modern Korean |||
| Text | Eumhun | Eumhun |
| Text | Gloss (hun) | Reading |
| Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804 | 풍류 (pungnyu) | 악 (ak) |

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [a̠k̚]
* Phonetic hangul: [악]

#### Hanja

Wikisource 樂 (eumhun 노래 악 (norae ak))
* hanja form of 악 (“music; tune; melody; song”)

#### Compounds

* 고악 (古樂, goak)
* 관악 (管樂, gwanak)
* 국악 (國樂, gugak)
* 군악 (軍樂, gunak)
* 당악 (唐樂, dang'ak)
* 성악 (聲樂, seong'ak)
* 악가 (樂歌, akga)
* 악계 (樂界, akgye)
* 악곡 (樂曲, akgok)
* 악공 (樂工, akgong)
* 악구 (樂句, akgu)
* 악궁 (樂弓, akgung)
* 악극 (樂劇, akgeuk)
* 악기 (樂器, akgi)
* 악기 (樂記, akgi)
* 악단 (樂團, akdan)
* 악단 (樂段, akdan)
* 악랑 (樂浪, angnang)
* 악리 (樂理, angni)
* 악본 (樂本, akbon)
* 악사 (樂士, aksa)
* 악상 (樂想, aksang)
* 악생 (樂生, aksaeng)
* 악서 (樂書, akseo)
* 악수 (樂手, aksu)
* 악식 (樂式, aksik)
* 악음 (樂音, ageum)
* 악인 (樂人, agin)
* 악자 (樂子, akja)
* 악작 (樂作, akjak)
* 악장 (樂匠, akjang)
* 악재 (樂才, akjae)
* 악전 (樂典, akjeon)
* 악절 (樂節, akjeol)
* 악조 (樂調, akjo)
* 악지 (樂止, akji)
* 악파 (樂派, akpa)
* 악호 (樂戶, akho)
* 음악 (音樂, eumak)

### Etymology 2

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC lak).
Historical Readings :
| Dongguk Jeongun Reading |||
| Dongguk Jeongun, 1448 | 락〮 (Yale: lák) | 락〮 (Yale: lák) |
| Middle Korean |||
| Text | Eumhun | Eumhun |
| Text | Gloss (hun) | Reading |
| Gwangju Cheonjamun, 1575 | 낙ᄒᆞᆯ (Yale: nak-hol) | 락 (Yale: lak) |
| Sinjeung Yuhap, 1576 | 즐길 (Yale: culkil) | 락 (Yale: lak) |
| Early Modern Korean |||
| Text | Eumhun | Eumhun |
| Text | Gloss (hun) | Reading |
| Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804 | 즐길 (jeulgil) | 락 (rak) |

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [ɾa̠k̚] ~ [na̠k̚]
* Phonetic hangul: [락/낙]

#### Hanja

樂 (eumhun 즐길 락 (jeulgil rak), word-initial (South Korea) 즐길 낙 (jeulgil nak))
* hanja form of 락/낙 (“to enjoy; happiness; pleasure”)

#### Compounds

* 극락 (極樂, geungnak)
* 낙관 (樂觀, nakgwan)
* 낙원 (樂園, nagwon)
* 낙천 (樂天, nakcheon)
* 법락 (法樂, beomnak)
* 삼락 (三樂, samnak)
* 상락 (常樂, sangnak)
* 안락 (安樂, allak)
* 오락 (娛樂, orak)
* 위락 (慰樂, wirak)
* 쾌락 (快樂, kwaerak)
* 향락 (享樂, hyangnak)

### Etymology 3

From Middle Chinese 樂 (MC ngaewH).
Historical Readings :
| Dongguk Jeongun Reading |||
| Dongguk Jeongun, 1448 | ᅌᅭᇢ〮 (Yale: ngyów) | ᅌᅭᇢ〮 (Yale: ngyów) |
| Early Modern Korean |||
| Text | Eumhun | Eumhun |
| Text | Gloss (hun) | Reading |
| Juhae Cheonjamun, 1804 | 됴히 너길 (dyohi neogil) | 요 (yo) |

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [jo]
* Phonetic hangul: [요]

#### Hanja

樂 (eumhun 좋아할 요 (joahal yo))
* (literary) hanja form of 요 (“to be fond of; to like”)

#### Compounds

* 요산요수 (樂山樂水, yosanyosu)

### References

* 국제퇴계학회 대구경북지부 (國際退溪學會 大邱慶北支部) (2007). Digital Hanja Dictionary, 전자사전／電子字典.

## Vietnamese
### Alternative forms

* 楽

### Han character

樂: Hán Nôm readings: lạc, nhạc

#### Noun

樂
* chữ Hán form of nhạc (“music (as a hobby or object of enjoyment)”).
    Near-synonym: 音樂 (âm nhạc) (as a concept)

##### See also

* 樂具 (nhạc cụ)
* 樂士 (nhạc sĩ)
* 樂工 (nhạc công)
* 樂理 (nhạc lí)
* 樂院 (nhạc viện)
* 雅樂 (nhã nhạc)
* 音樂 (âm nhạc)