笑い

• Reading: わらい
• Romaji: warai
• Kanji breakdown: 笑 (warai/shou) — laugh, smile
• Pronunciation: /wa.ɾa.i/

Meaning

Laughter; laugh; smile. The act or sound of laughing.

A noun derived from the verb 笑う (warau, to laugh). Covers the full range from a gentle smile to hearty laughter. Used in expressions like 笑いを取る (get a laugh), 笑いが止まらない (can't stop laughing), and 笑い声 (sound of laughter). Central to Japanese comedy culture (お笑い, comedy).

Examples

1. あの芸人のネタは笑いが止まらなかった。 That comedian's routine had me laughing nonstop.
2. 教室に大きな笑い声が響いた。 Loud laughter echoed through the classroom.
3. 彼女の話はいつも笑いに変えてくれる。 Her stories always turn things into laughter.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, daily life, social interaction

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 笑う (warau). The kanji 笑 combines 竹 (bamboo) and 夭 (young, bending), evoking the image of bamboo bending as if shaking with laughter.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal