Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'loud laughter' depends on the nuance: hearty, unrestrained laughter, a sudden burst, or roaring with others. The most common word is 大笑い (oowarai), but there are also onomatopoeic expressions and verbs for specific situations.
To describe a big, loud laugh, often in a positive or amused context.
The most common and neutral word for 'loud laughter' or 'big laugh'. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (大笑いする).
Everyone burst into loud laughter at his joke.
I let out stress by having a good loud laugh.
Literally 'explosive laughter', meaning uproarious, loud laughter. Often used when a group laughs very hard. Can be a noun or suru-verb.
The venue was filled with loud laughter.
I roared with laughter at his story.
A loud, high-pitched laugh, often with a nuance of arrogance or scorn. Can sound haughty or theatrical.
The villain let out a loud, scornful laugh.
To describe the action of suddenly laughing loudly, often involuntarily.
Literally 'spurt out', meaning to burst out laughing suddenly and loudly, often when trying to hold it in. Very common.
It was so funny I couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.
Describes a group of people suddenly laughing loudly together, like a wave of laughter.
The audience burst into loud laughter.
To emphasize the volume and energy of laughter, often in a lively atmosphere.
A literary or formal word for 'roaring laughter' or 'guffaw'. Often used in writing to describe a crowd laughing loudly.
Roaring laughter broke out in the bar.
An onomatopoeic expression for loud, unrestrained laughter, often continuous. Casual and vivid.
He's laughing loudly while watching TV.
大笑い (oowarai) is a general term for a big laugh, while 爆笑 (bakushou) implies an explosive, uproarious laughter that is often contagious. 爆笑 is stronger and more emphatic.
The English phrase 'loud laughter' is not directly translated as うるさい笑い (urusai warai), which would mean 'noisy/annoying laughter'. Use the words above depending on context.
I burst out laughing when I saw his face.