Translation guide
A quiet, often disrespectful laugh, usually at someone else's expense. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific verbs and onomatopoeia that convey suppressed laughter or sneering.
To laugh quietly in a mocking or disrespectful way, often trying not to be heard.
Literally 'sneaking laughter'. A general term for a suppressed, quiet laugh, often with a negative connotation.
A laugh that includes a snorting sound, often involuntary and derisive.
Onomatopoeic phrase mimicking a snorting, derisive laugh. 'ふふん' represents the snorting sound.
彼は自慢話を聞いて、ふふんと笑った。
He sniggered at the boastful story.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'snigger'. Using a general word for 'laugh' (笑う) will not convey the mocking, suppressed quality. Choose an expression that fits the specific nuance.
忍び笑い emphasizes the act of hiding the laughter and often implies malice. くすくす笑う is more about the sound of suppressed giggling and can be used for innocent situations as well, though context can make it snigger-like.
子どもたちは先生の陰でくすくす笑った。
The children sniggered behind the teacher's back.
Using くすくす笑う for a childish, suppressed giggle.
彼はそのばかげた提案に、思わず忍び笑いを漏らした。
He couldn't help but snigger at the absurd suggestion.
Using 忍び笑い for a suppressed, involuntary laugh.
彼の失敗に、彼女は忍び笑いを漏らした。
She let out a snigger at his mistake.
A sneering or mocking laugh, often more openly scornful than a snigger.
彼は相手の提案をせせら笑った。
He sniggered at the opponent's proposal.
Onomatopoeic phrase for giggling or chuckling quietly, often used for suppressed laughter that can be snigger-like.
生徒たちは先生の言い間違いにくすくす笑った。
The students sniggered at the teacher's slip of the tongue.
A cold, scornful laugh or sneer; more openly contemptuous than a typical snigger.
彼の説明に、部長は冷笑を浮かべた。
The manager gave a snigger at his explanation.
Literally 'laugh with one's nose', meaning to snort derisively or snigger.
彼女は彼の言い訳を鼻で笑った。
She sniggered at his excuse.