verb HSK 5
Traditional
to amuse · to entertain · to enjoy

Meaning

is a somewhat literary character meaning 'to entertain' or 'to amuse.' It rarely appears alone in modern Mandarin but is a key component in common words like 乐 (entertainment) and 乐场所 (place of entertainment). The traditional form shows the character's connection to pleasure and amusement.

Usage

In contemporary usage, almost exclusively appears in compounds rather than standing alone. Native speakers will recognize it primarily through words like 乐 (yúlè, entertainment) and 乐圈 (yúlèquān, entertainment industry). Using by itself would sound archaic or overly formal.

Examples

  1. 01
    这个城市的乐设施很完善。
    Zhège chéngshì de yúlè shèshī hěn wánshàn.
    This city's entertainment facilities are very comprehensive.
  2. 02
    他在乐圈工作了十年。
    zài yúlèquān gōngzuòle shí nián.
    He has worked in the entertainment industry for ten years.

Common collocations

  • 乐活动
    yúlè huódòng
    recreational activities
  • 乐节目
    yúlè jiémù
    entertainment program
  • 乐设施
    yúlè shèshī
    entertainment facilities

Antonyms

Origin

The traditional form contains the woman radical 女 and a phonetic component suggesting pleasure. The simplified form retains the woman radical on the left with a simplified right side.

Related