Expressions of Joy in Japanese and Indonesian Language
A Focus on Its Semantics
Nazmi Irdariadini Putri and Nuria Haristiani
Postgraduate School of Japanese Language Education Departement, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia
Keywords: Expressing emotions, Expression of joy, Contrastive study, Semantics.
Abstract: Humans as a cultured society certainly have their own words to express emotions. To understand these
emotional expressions requires not only knowing the meaning of vocabularies, but also understanding
contextual background that is related to when and how the emotional expressions are used by native speakers.
This study aimed to describe the form of expressions of joy in Japanese and Indonesian in terms of semantics
and to identify its similarities and differences. This is a descriptive research study with a qualitative approach.
The data in this study were collected from dictionaries, newspapers, magazines and online sites. The results
showed that the forms of expression of joy in Japanese are ureshii, tanoshii and yorokobashii. Meanwhile, in
Indonesian language are senang, gembira and bahagia. Based on the results of data analysis, Ureshii in
Japanese and Senang in Indonesian are used mainly to express feelings when something happens related with
expectation, and the subject is the first person. Tanoshii in Japanese and Gembira in Indonesian are used to
express a feeling that contains a very happy condition, and also used while enjoying the condition. The subject
is a first or second person. Yorokobashii in Japanese and Bahagia in Indonesian are used to express not only
feeling, but also other’s happiness. The subject is the first person and it can be used for second and third
person.
1 INTRODUCTION
Kovecses (2003) said that emotions evolved not as
conscious feeling, linguistically differentiated or
otherwise, but as brain states and bodily responses.
The brain states and bodily responses are the
fundamental facts of an emotion, and the conscious
feelings are the frills that have added icing to the
emotional cake. Conscious feelings are often
expressed in or, are shaped by language, and thus the
study of language can reveal a great deal about them.
The contrastive model of emotional expression
research is encouraged by experts to capture different
cultural phenomena as a means of understanding the
emotional expressions of each language speaker
(Lutz and White, 1986). Lutz and White (1986) also
states that research on verbal communication of
emotional expression can be done using these two
methods: 1) semantic analysis, especially about the
lexicon of emotional expression, and 2) analyzing the
communication practice of emotional expression in
its social context.
Semantics is a systematic branch of language that
investigates sense or meaning (Verhaar, 1987). As
Verhaar said, in linguistics, semantics is associated
with the delivery of meanings by the grammatical and
lexical meaning of a language.
A research of the emotional expression had been
researched by Kiyomi (2009) about ureshii and
tanoshii from their antonymic relationship. This
study concludes that both words have the same
meaning with happy, but the research result did not
explain about its usage. Kato (2001) studied about
ureshii and tanoshii using substitution method, and
the result showed that ureshii and tanoshii cannot
replace each other grammatically. Nishio (1993)
states that ureshii refers to a mental state of feeling
happy with excitement when something happens to
someone or when that someone get to know
something that is desirable and of high value. He also
defines that tanoshii is a lasting feeling of satisfaction
that someone feeling enjoy and pleased.
Terashima (2002) analyzed the difference of
synonyms to clarify their semantic difference. The
synonyms investigted in this research are three
Japanese adjectives, which are tanoshii, ureshii, and
omoshiroi. Analysis of their declension and
collocation with corpora including newspapers and
278
Putri, N. and Haristiani, N.
Expressions of Joy in Japanese and Indonesian Language - A Focus on Its Semantics.
DOI: 10.5220/0007165902780283
In Proceedings of the Tenth Conference on Applied Linguistics and the Second English Language Teaching and Technology Conference in collaboration with the First International Conference
on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education (CONAPLIN and ICOLLITE 2017) - Literacy, Culture, and Technology in Language Pedagogy and Use, pages 278-283
ISBN: 978-989-758-332-2
Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved

books showed the following results: (1) all three
adjectives most frequently appears in the i-form; (2)
tanoshii tends to appear in the attributive form and
ureshii tends to appear in the dictionary form, while
omoshiroi takes the attributive and dictionary forms
with similar frequency; and (3) each word has its own
collocation such as “tanoshii omoide” (pleasant
memory), “ureshii himei” (happy busy days),
“ureshii kagiri” (extremely happy), and “omoshiroi
hanashi” (interesting story).
Fujita (1991) compares tanoshii and ureshii in
terms of time and causes that trigger each of the
feelings. She proposes that tanoshii has to do with
duration of time and refers to an on-going process.
She points out that one must be conscious of what
provokes him/her to feel ureshii, while it is
sometimes difficult to grasp what makes one feel
tanoshii. To put it differently, the feeling of tanoshii
may arise naturally without specific causes or reasons.
This means that ureshii is bound to the relation of
cause and effect. By contrast, tanoshii is not
necessarily so.
Word happy can be translated into senang,
gembira and bahagia in Indonesian. Moreover, these
meaning in Indonesian are similar to ureshii, tanoshii
and yorokobashii in Japanese. The similarity of these
words sometimes give difficulty to Japanese learner
to translate the words, because their lack
understanding of the meaning. Sakoda (2002) said
that the differences between mother tongue (bogo)
and target language (mokuhyougengo) is one factor
that cause error and give difficulty for learners to
comprehend the meaning of those words. This error
may cause negative transfer that affected learners’
target language acquisition. As one attempt to solve
this problem, this research is conducting a semantical
analysis in contrastive context in Indonesian as the
first language, and Japanese as the target language
focusing on the expressing of joy. In this study, the
expressions of joy in Japanese and Indonesian will be
compared from their function and semantic meaning
to find their similarities and differentiation, which
results can be utilized to help Japanese’s learners in
understanding the expression of joy in Indonesian and
Japanese.
2 RESEARCH METHOD
This research is a descriptive research with qualitative
approach. This study uses two types of data source.
The first data source was lexical meaning of joy in
Japanese and Indonesian language. These data were
collected from several bilingual dictionaries which
are the main sources of research, i.e., Kamus Besar
Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian Thesaurus for the
exploration the meaning of expression of joy in
Indonesian, while in Japanese Kenji Matsuura
dictionary, Goro Taniguchi dictionary and
Tsukaikata no Wakeru Ruigo Reikai Jiten were used
for the exploration the meaning of expression of joy
in Japanese. The second data source is sentences
obtained from several papers in newspapers,
magazines, and some online sites that contain lexical
units of meaningful pleasure in both Japanese and
Indonesian languages such as Lifenesia, Radar
Cirebon, Tribun Jogja and Corpus data.
Data analysis in this study are conducted using
five steps as follows: (1) Describe forms of
expressions of joy in Japanese and Indonesian
language.; (2) Gathering sentences containing
expression of joy lexicons, then analyzing sentence
context which aims to find in what context an
expression of joy lexicon can be used by native
speakers of each language; (3) Recording and re-
arranging the expressions of joy that have been
determined; (4) Contrasting the vocabulary meaning
of expressions of joy in Indonesian language and
Japanese; (5) Seeking generalization of similarity and
differentiation forms of expressions of joy in
Japanese and Indonesian.
3 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Expressions of Joy in Japanese and
Its Semantic Meanings
3.1.1 Ureshii
From the data, some examples of lexicon ureshii is as
Example 1to 4.
Example (1)
2016年完成した新築物件でソーファやベッド、
食器類などが新品なのも嬉しいポイント。
2016 nen kansei shita shinchiku bukken de sōfa ya
beddo, shokki-rui nado ga shinpin na no mo ureshii
pointo.
It is also nice point to have sofas, beds, crockery etc
as new in the newly property completed in 2016.
From example (1), it is shown that the individual
pleasure expressed by the author if the latest property
in 2016 is a nice point for him. Shogakukan Jiten
Henshuubu (1994, p.245) define that ureshii is used
Expressions of Joy in Japanese and Indonesian Language - A Focus on Its Semantics
279

to express a feeling about a situation and conditions
as expected, referring to a bright and pleasant feeling.
Example (2)
試験に合格してウレシイ。
Shiken ni goukaku shite ureshii.
Glad to pass the exam.
Example (3)
給料が上がってウレシカッタ。
Kyuuryou ga agate ureshikatta.
Happy that my salary was raised.
Meanwhile, Example (2) and (3) shows meaning
according to Kunihiro and Shibata’s theory (2003),
which states that ureshii is a satisfied feeling with the
condition or situation desired, there is a feeling of
facial muscles feels flabby.
Example (4)
自分が役に立てるのが嬉しかった。 不動産関
係や登記関係を一つずつ覚え、役所を回って手
続きをするのが新鮮だった。
Jibun ga yakunitateru no ga ureshikatta. Fudōsan
kankei ya tōki kankei o hitotsuzutsu oboe, yakusho o
mawatte tetsudzuki o suru no ga shinsendatta.
I was pleased to find myself useful. It was fresh to
memorize real estate relations and registration
relations one by one, to go around the government
office and process.
Meanwhile, ureshii in Example (4) used to express
that the situation and conditions are as expected by
speaker, and that condition is also useful for others.
From Example (1) to (4), it can be concluded that
ureshii is used to express individual pleasure, either
spoken or felt by speakers themselves. Furthermore,
ureshii also used to express some situation and
conditions as expected, that those are also useful for
others.
3.1.2 Tanoshii
Example (5)
工場でさまざまな機器や製作工程を見学し、チ
ョコレートをふんだんに使ったシュークリーム
作りを体験し、参加者はツアーを思い思いに楽
しんだ。
Kōjō de samazamana kiki ya seisaku kōtei o kengaku
shi, chokorēto o fundan'ni tsukatta shūkurīmu-tsukuri
o taiken shi, sankasha wa tsuā o omoiomoi ni
tanoshinda.
Visitors watched various equipment and
manufacturing processes at factory, experienced
making puffs using plenty of chocolate, they really
enjoyed the tour.
From the data, the use of tanoshii is as shown on
Example 5. On Example (5), tanoshii expressed the
joy of the tour participants during the observation
activities in the chocolate factory. The feeling
expressed by the speaker is represented the feeling of
all tour participants. From Example (5), it is
understood that tanoshii used to share pleasure and to
express the other’s feelings. It also can be used while
enjoying a situation and doing an activity. The subject
of tanoshii can be a first person or a second person.
Shogakukan Jiten Henshuubu (1994, p.245) defines
that tanoshii also refering to a joyful heart, which is
also can be seen in Example 5.
Example (6)
試験に合格した帰りにおじさんにおごってもら
い、帰宅して新聞をみたら宝くじが当っていた、
たのしかった。
Shiken ni goukakushita kaeri ni ojisan ni ogottemorai,
kitakushite shinbun wo mitara takarakuji ga atatteita,
tanoshikatta.
After having passed the exam, in my way home my
uncle gave me a treat, and when I came home and see
the newspaper, it said that I won the lottery, it was fun.
Example (7)
昔の友達がやって来て話がはずみ、夜二人で飲
みにいったら、偶然恩師に会って通院した。今
日はとてもたのしかった。
Mukashi no tomodachi ga yattekite hanashi ga
hazumi, yoru futari de nomi ni ittara, guuzen onshi ni
atte tsuuin shita. Kyou wa totemo tanoshikatta.
An old friend came over and talked with me, and
when we went have a drink at night, we accidentally
met our honored teacher and visited the hospital. I
enjoyed today very much.
From Example (6) and (7), it is understood that
tanoshii has a meaning that refers to a joyful heart.
Tanoshii does not occur due to a particular situation,
but refers to the mood of the activity that occurs.
3.1.3 Yorokobashii
Example (8)
こうして築後百年以上を経過したが、手入れが
良いのか、健在であるのが喜ばしい。 恐らく
ＪＲ西日本では一番古い駅舎ではあるまいか。
CONAPLIN and ICOLLITE 2017 - Tenth Conference on Applied Linguistics and the Second English Language Teaching and Technology
Conference in collaboration with the First International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education
280

Kōshite chiku ato hyaku-nen ijō o keika shitaga, teire
ga yoi no ka, kenzaidearu no ga yorokobashii.
Osoraku JR Nishinihon dewa ichiban furui ekishade
waarumai ka.
Therefore, after more than a hundred years have
passed, it seems that the maintenance is good, I’m so
glad that it is in a good condition. JR West station
building is probably the oldest in station building.
The data that used yorokobashii is as shown in
Example 8. In Example (8), yorokobashii expressed
the joy and satisfied feeling because the station is in
good condition. From Example (8), speaker used
yorokobashii to show an understanding feeling, a
wish to share feeling of joy to others, and also
expressed the feelings of others. Shogakukan Jiten
Henshuubu (1994, p.245), define that yorokobashii
used to express a condition from a third person's point
of view is that the others are happy. The subject of
yorokobashii is the first person and it can be used for
second and third person.
Example (9)
〈そうだ、そうにちがいない〉 しかし、なに
はともあれ、彼女が社から離れてくれるのは喜
ばしいことだ。
<Souda, sou ni chigainai> shikashi, nani wa
tomoare, kanojo ga sha kara hanarete kureru no wa
yorokobashii kotoda.
<Yes, that must be the case> But, anyway, it is
pleasing that she is leaving the company.
As seen on Example (9), yorokobashii is used to
express the first and also second person’s feeling that
someone they dislike left the company.
3.2 Expressions of Joy in Indonesian
Language and Its Semantic
Meanings
3.2.1 Senang
Example (10)
“Saya senang dan bangga meraih emas pertama
dalam tiga kali penampilan di SEA Games,” kata
Wewey.
"I’m glad and proud to win my first gold in three
appearances at the SEA Games," Wewey said.
Example (11)
Reza mengakui bakat akting Delia…….“Saya senang
ada aktris pendatang baru yang mau belajar seperti
dia,” kata Reza.
Reza admit Delia’s acting talent……. “I’m glad that
newcomer actress who wants to learn as she does,”
Reza said.
From collected data, adverb senang is used as
shown in Example 10 and 11. In Example (10),
senang shows the expression of individual’s happy
feeling for getting a gold medal in the SEA Games.
Meanwhile, in Example (11), senang shows the
expression of individual happy feeling because he
saw a newcomer’s talent. From Example (10) and
(11), it is understood that senang used to express
individual pleasure, either spoken or felt by speakers
themselves. The subject of senang is the first person.
KBBI (2004) define that senang has meaning of
satisfied and free feelings; pleasant; happy; like; glad;
in a good condition; easy.
3.2.2 Gembira
From the data, some examples that used gembira is as
shown in Example 12 and 13.
Example (12)
Ribuan warga Desa Krangkeng dan Purwajaya
Kecamatan Krangkeng mengaku gembira karena ada
air bersih dari hujan.
A thousand villagers from Krangkeng and Purwajaya
District of Krangkeng are happy because there is
clean water from the rain.
Example (13)
“Bersama anak-anak yang belajar sepak bola dengan
riang gembira adalah salah satu harapan kami,”
tambah Zanetti.
“Play with children who learn soccer joyfully is one
of our expectations,” added Zanetti.
The data that used gembira is as shown in
Example 12 and 13. On Example (12), gembira show
a very pleasant situation so people can enjoy the
situation. While in Example (13), gembira show an
excited feeling from the children in doing an activity.
From Example (12) and (13), it is understood that
gembira used to express other’s feelings, spoken and
felt by speakers themselves and the others. The
subject of gembira is the first or second person. KBBI
(2004) define that gembira has meanings is including
like; happy; and glad.
Expressions of Joy in Japanese and Indonesian Language - A Focus on Its Semantics
281

3.2.3 Bahagia
From the data, some examples that used bahagia is as
shown in Example 14.
Example (14)
Dia sendiri tidak sempat menyiapkan kado untuk
Raisa. Menurut Tulus yang utama adalah doa.
“Karena teman, ya harapannya semoga dia selalu
bahagia.” katanya.
He did not have time to prepare a present for Raisa.
Tulus said the main one is prayer. "Because she is a
friend, so I hope she will always happy.”
Example (15)
“Saya lihat dia hidup tenang dan bahagia, dan itu
sangat penting untuk performanya di lapangan,” kata
Wilson kepada Marca.
"I see he lives calm and happy, and that is very
important for his performance on the field," Wilson
told Marca.
The data that used bahagia is as Example 14 and
15. In Example (14), Tulus as the first person
expressed Raisa’s feeling as a third person. As
Example (15), bahagia shows expression of Wilson’s
son happiness to Marca. From Example (14) and (15),
it is understood that bahagia used to express other’s
feelings, spoken and felt by speakers themselves and
the others, and also represent the others feelings
. The
subject of bahagia is the first person, and it can be
used for second and third person. KBBI (2004) define
that bahagia has meaning as conditions or feelings of
joy and peace (free from all the troubles); lucky; and
happy.
All the expressions of joy in Japanese and
Indonesian language analyzed above can be
concluded as seen in Table 1.
Table 1: The similarities and differences of expressions of
joy’s meaning in Japanese and Indonesian.
No Ureshii/
Senan
g
Tanoshii/
Gembira
Yorokobashii/
B
aha
g
ia
1. Show
individual
satisfaction /
p
leasure.
Show shared
satisfaction /
pleasure.
Show shared
satisfaction /
pleasure.
2. The happiness
is temporary.
The happiness
has a span of
time.
The happiness
has a span of
time.
3. Show
subjectivity.
Show
o
b
jectivity.
Show
o
b
jectivity.
4. Not
expressing the
others
feelin
g
s.
Expressing
the others
feelings.
Expressing
the others
feelings.
5. Spoken and
felt by own
self.
Spoken and
felt by own
self and the
others.
Spoken and
felt by own
self and the
others. As a
speech or
phrase that
represents the
others
feelin
g
s.
6. Feelings of
happiness
because
things happen
in accordance
with
expectations /
achieved.
Feel that a
very pleasant
condition.
Feelings of
joy and
satisfaction
because
something is
in line with
expectations
7. When got a
desire.
While
enjoying a
situation and
doing an
activit
y
.
Feelings of
joy
accompanied
by deeds.
8. Medium and
large degree
of pleasure.
Medium and
small degree
of pleasure.
Large degree
of pleasure.
4 CONCLUSIONS
This study observed similarities and differences of the
expressions of joy in Japanese and Indonesian
language. The semantic similarities between the three
Japanese adjectives ureshii, tanoshii, and
yorokobashii is that they roughly translated as
‘bahagia’ in Indonesian language, although have not
yet been fully delineated. The result also showed that
ureshii in Japanese and senang in Indonesian,
tanoshii in Japanese and gembira in Indonesian, and
yorokobashii in Japanese and bahagia in Indonesian
have rather similar meanings, thus their use is
different depending on the context of the sentence.
Ureshii and senang show individual satisfaction or
pleasure, and spoken or felt by speaker him/herself.
Ureshii and senang cannot be used to express the
others feelings. Furthermore, the happiness feeling of
ureshii and senang is temporary. This results support
Nishio’s (1993) research result that ureshii refers to a
mental state of feeling happy with excitement when
something happens that is desirable with high value.
Thus, tanoshii and gembira show shared satisfaction
or pleasure, and can express the others feelings. The
happiness feeling of tanoshii and gembira has a span
CONAPLIN and ICOLLITE 2017 - Tenth Conference on Applied Linguistics and the Second English Language Teaching and Technology
Conference in collaboration with the First International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education
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of time. The feeling is felt when enjoying a situation
and doing an activity. This results similar to Fujita’s
(1991) opinion that tanoshii has to do with duration
of time and refers to an on-going process. Lastly,
yorokobashii and bahagia show shared satisfaction or
pleasure, and can express the others feelings similar
to tanoshii and gembira. But, they are spoken and felt
by speakers themself and the others as a speech or
phrase that represents the others feelings. They are
also have a large degree of pleasure.
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