Japanese word

滑稽

Pronunciation

Romajikokkei

Meaning

  • na-adjectivelaughable

Example

その言い訳は滑稽です。so no i i wake wa kok kei de su

That excuse is laughable.

Illustration for 滑稽 (laughable)

More examples

彼の計画は、細部を知るほど滑稽です。kare no kei kaku wa sai bu o shi ru ho do kok kei de su

The more you learn about the details, the more laughable his plan seems.

Core concept

Refers to behavior, words, or situations whose absurdity makes them seem ridiculous rather than worthy of serious attention.

Common phrases

  • 滑稽な格好kok kei na kak kō

    a comical outfit

  • 滑稽な結末kok kei na ketsu matsu

    a funny ending

  • 滑稽な行動kok kei na kō dō

    comical behavior

Similar words

珍妙chinmyō: Odd and amusing because it departs strikingly from what is usual.
荒唐無稽kōtōmukei: Wildly implausible because it ignores ordinary limits of reason or reality.
ひょうきんhyōkin: Having a playful and amusing character that makes a person or action seem comic.

Definition in Japanese

つじつまが合わなかったり大げさだったりして、ばかばかしく笑いを誘うさま。tsu ji tsu ma ga a wa na ka tta ri ō ge sa da tta ri shi te ba ka ba ka shi ku wara i o saso u sa ma

Word origin

The word 滑稽 (kokkei) comes from Chinese 滑稽 (huájī) and combines 滑 (katsu, "smooth") with 稽 (kei, "examine"); its meaning developed from clever, fluent speech to something comic or ridiculous.

Usage tips

  • The English gloss laughable can mean worthy of ridicule, and 滑稽 (kokkei) often carries this sharper sense when it describes a claim or excuse.

Other meanings

  • comicalna-adjective
  • funnyna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 滑稽さkokkeisacomicalitynoun
  • 滑稽味kokkeimicomic qualitynoun

Word lists with this word