Japanese word

笑い

Pronunciation

Romajiwarai

Meaning

  • nounlaugh, laughter

Example

彼の笑いは大きいです。kare no wara i wa ō ki i de su

His laugh is loud.

Illustration for 笑い (laugh)

More examples

みんなの笑いが聞こえます。mi n na no wara i ga ki ko e ma su

I can hear everyone's laughter.

静かな部屋で、彼女の笑いだけが明るく響きます。shizu ka na heya de kano jo no wara i da ke ga aka ru ku hibi ki ma su

In the quiet room, only her laugh rings out brightly.

Core concept

The word centers on the audible or visible response that occurs when someone laughs.

Common phrases

  • 笑いが起こるwara i ga o ko ru

    laughter breaks out

  • 笑いをこらえるwara i o ko ra e ru

    hold back laughter

  • 笑い声wara i goe

    sound of laughter

Similar words

笑い声waraigoe: The sound made when a person laughs.

Definition in Japanese

人が笑うときに出す声や表情、また笑っている状態。hito ga wara u to ki ni da su koe ya hyō jō ma ta wara tte i ru jō tai

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 笑い (warai) comes from 笑う (warau, "to laugh") through the verb's continuative form, which can also function as a noun.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 笑い (warai) for laughter from both one person and an audience, making it useful when discussing comedy.

Opposites

Related words

  • 笑い方waraikataway of laughingnoun

Word lists with this word