慶ぶ

よろこぶ

to be delighted, to be glad

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 慶ぶ (よろこぶ) means "to be delighted" or "to celebrate". It is often used in formal or written contexts to express joy or congratulations, especially for significant events such as weddings, births, or achievements.

Common Contexts

慶ぶ is frequently used when expressing happiness about others' good fortune or important life events. It carries a respectful and somewhat formal tone, making it suitable for ceremonies, official announcements, or polite speech.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 慶ぶ (よろこぶ) + こと: to be glad about something
  • ~の成功を慶ぶ: to celebrate someone's success
  • 幸せを慶ぶ: to rejoice in happiness
  • 伝統的な儀式で慶ぶ: to celebrate with a traditional ceremony

Usage Tips

慶ぶ is more formal and literary than the more common 喜ぶ (also よろこぶ), which is used in everyday conversation to express personal joy or happiness. Learners should note this distinction to avoid sounding overly formal or stiff in casual situations.

Avoid confusing 慶ぶ with 喜ぶ; while both share the same reading and general meaning of joy, 慶ぶ is specifically used for congratulatory or celebratory contexts, often involving others' achievements or milestones.

Example Sentences

かれのせいこうをみんなでよろこびました。

Everyone celebrated his success.

けっこんしきでしんせきがしんろうしんぷのしあわせをよろこびました。

At the wedding, the relatives rejoiced in the happiness of the bride and groom.

あたらしいいのちのたんじょうをよろこぶでんとうてきなぎしきがあります。

There is a traditional ceremony to celebrate the birth of a new life.