Onyomi: ショウ · Kunyomi: え.む, わら.う · Meanings: laugh
Kanji for laugh
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The kanji 笑 was formed from 竹 (bamboo) on top and 夭 (young, lively) below. In ancient times, bamboo was used to represent flexibility and liveliness, while 夭 carried the idea of youth and joy. Together, they painted an image of light-heartedness — like young bamboo swaying freely in the wind, full of life and laughter. Over time, this image became associated with smiling and laughing, expressing the natural joy that springs up from the heart.
笑 combines the bamboo radical (竹) with the idea of youth and liveliness (夭). It captures the feeling of lightness and joy — a free, natural laugh, like bamboo rustling softly in the breeze.
Imagine young bamboo stalks dancing in the wind, making soft, happy sounds — that carefree motion is 笑, the symbol of laughter and joy.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 笑い | わらい | laugh, laughter | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 笑 | わら | LOL, haha | Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.) |
| 笑う | わらう | to laugh | common JLPT-N4 Godan verb with 'u' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 笑顔 | えがお | smiling face, smile | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 笑み | えみ | smile | common Noun |
| 笑い声 | わらいごえ | (sound of) laughter, laughing voice | common Noun |
| 笑窪 | えくぼ | dimple | common Noun |
| 笑いもの | わらいもの | laughingstock, butt of ridicule | Noun |
| 笑い話 | わらいばなし | funny story, funny anecdote | Noun |
| 笑い出す | わらいだす | to burst into laughter | Godan verb with 'su' ending |