Happiness, Luck
さいわい (saiwai), しあわせ (shiawase)
Interesting Fact
The history of 幸 is much darker than its modern meaning! In ancient Chinese writing, 幸 was associated with a hand restraint or fetter—a device used to restrain someone. Somehow, the character eventually developed the positive meaning of being fortunate or happy. One theory connects this shift to the idea that escaping punishment or surviving a dangerous situation was itself a stroke of good fortune. So the cheerful-looking Japanese kanji 幸 has an unexpectedly dramatic backstory: its journey from restraint → escape → good fortune is anything but boring.
Memory Trick
“A sheep(⽺) buried under the earth(土) thinks, ‘Finally, I’m FREE from exploitation! I’m finally HAPPY!’ — 幸!”
Readings
Onyomi: コウ (kou)
Kunyomi: さいわい (saiwai), しあわせ (shiawase)
Example Words
Example Sentence
幸せな毎日を過ごしています。
しあわせな まいにち を すごして います。
shiawasena mainichi o sugoshite imasu
I spend my days happily.