笑
laugh
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- わら.う
- え.む
Nanori
- えみ
Meaning
笑 centers on the expression of amusement or joy: laughing or smiling.
Most common words using 笑
20 of 189- 笑うわらうN4
to laugh
- 笑わら
LOL; haha
- 可笑しいおかしいN4
funny; amusing; comical; laughable; ridiculous
- 笑顔えがおN3
smiling face; smile
- 笑いわらいN3
laugh; laughter
- 笑えるわらえる
to laugh; to break into laughter; to be made to laugh
- お笑いおわらい
comical (story, song); comic
- 爆笑ばくしょう
roar of laughter (from multiple people); burst of laughter; uproarious laughter
- 可笑しなおかしな
funny; amusing; comical; laughable; ridiculous
- 微笑むほほえむN3
to smile
- 苦笑くしょう
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
- 笑みえみ
smile
- 笑い声わらいごえN1
(sound of) laughter; laughing voice
- 微笑ましいほほえましい
heartwarming; pleasant; charming; amusing
- 大笑いおおわらい
great laughter; burst of laughter
- 微笑びしょうN1
smile
- 嘲笑ちょうしょう
scornful laughter; ridicule; derision; sneer
- 苦笑いにがわらいN1
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile; strained laugh
- 笑むえむ
to smile
- 笑い話わらいばなし
funny story; funny anecdote
Study
Etymology
笑 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 夭 (bending, young), but the exact historical origin is uncertain. One traditional explanation is that it depicts bamboo bending in the wind, likened to a person bending over with laughter.
Meaning mnemonic
Imagine bamboo stalks swaying and bending in the breeze, making a rustling sound like soft laughter. The top 竹 is bamboo, and the bottom 夭 looks like a person bending over in a laughing fit.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, picture a comedy show where the bamboo on stage bends over laughing: show -> ショウ, and the whole scene is full of laughter.