喜ぶ
yorokobu
Definition
To feel or show happiness and delight; to be pleased about something.
Example
プレゼントをもらって、子供たちはとても喜んだ。
Show translation
The children were very pleased when they received presents.
Etymology
From classical Japanese 喜ぶ (yorokobu). The kanji 喜 depicts a drum (壴) topped with a mouth (口) — evoking the sound of celebration and joyful expression. The verb form has remained stable since Old Japanese, appearing in the Man'yōshū (8th century).
Cultural note
In Japanese culture, openly expressing personal joy can sometimes feel immodest, so 喜ぶ is often used to describe *others'* happiness (e.g., 喜んでもらえた, "I was able to make them happy"). Causing someone else to 喜ぶ is a core social value. Note: the related noun 喜び (yorokobi, "joy/delight") is equally common and worth learning alongside the verb.