Translation guide
The sound or act of laughing. In Japanese, the most common word is 笑い (warai), but the choice depends on context, formality, and whether you're describing the sound, the act, or a specific type of laugh.
The act or sound of laughing in a neutral or positive sense.
The most common and general noun for 'laughter' or 'laughing'. Can refer to the act, sound, or even a smile in some contexts.
I heard laughter from the room.
I couldn't stop laughing.
Specifically the sound of laughter. Use this when you want to emphasize the audible aspect.
The children's laughter echoed in the park.
Used in compounds or formal writing, often meaning 'laugh' or 'smile'. Not used alone in conversation.
roar of laughter
A burst of loud, unrestrained laughter.
Quiet, suppressed, or silly laughter.
Laughter that expresses contempt or ridicule.
Using laughter to express an emotion or as a social signal.
In Japanese, the verb 笑う is often used where English would use the noun 'laughter'. For example, 'to burst into laughter' is 笑い出す or 笑い転げる.
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw his face.
It was so funny I rolled with laughter.
To stifle or hold back laughter.
笑顔 (egao) means 'smile' or 'smiling face', not laughter. Use 笑い for audible laughing.
Japanese uses many onomatopoeic words for different types of laughter: げらげら (guffawing), くすくす (giggling), にこにこ (smiling happily), etc. These are often used adverbially with 笑う.
その動画を見て爆笑した。
I burst out laughing watching that video.
A suppressed laugh, a chuckle under one's breath. Suggests knowing something others don't.
He gave a knowing chuckle.
He sneered at me for failing.
I struggled to hold back laughter during the serious scene.