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Kotomora

笑

laugh

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes10

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

Explore all words using 笑 →

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.