活躍

かつやく

activity

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"活躍" (かつやく) refers to being active or playing an important and successful role in a particular field or situation. It often implies notable achievements or energetic participation.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "活躍" used in contexts like sports, work, or social activities where someone is making a significant contribution or showing strong performance.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "活躍する" (to be active, to play an active role): the most common verb form.
  • "〜で活躍する" (to be active in ~): indicates the place or field where someone is active.
  • "大いに活躍する" (to be very active): emphasizes the extent of activity or success.

Register and Nuance

"活躍" is a neutral to slightly formal noun, suitable for both spoken and written Japanese. It is often used in news reports, business contexts, and everyday conversation when praising someone's efforts or achievements.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "活躍" with simple "activity" (活動). Remember, "活躍" emphasizes successful or notable activity, not just any action. Use "活躍" when highlighting someone's effective or prominent role.

Example Sentences

かれはスポーツたいかいでおおいにかつやくした。

He was very active and performed excellently in the sports tournament.

しんにゅうしゃいんがかいしゃでかつやくできるようにサポートします。

We support new employees so that they can be active and successful in the company.

かのじょはこくさいかいぎでつうやくとしてかつやくしている。

She is active as an interpreter at international conferences.