Meaning
The kanji 笑 carries the fundamental meanings of to laugh and to smile. It shows up constantly in everyday Japanese — in casual conversation, song lyrics, text messages, and literature alike.
Etymologically, 笑 is a compound pictograph with two parts: the radical 竹 (bamboo) on top, and 夭 (young, bending) on the bottom. One interpretation connects this to bamboo stalks swaying in the wind — a motion compared to a person doubling over with laughter, body curving just as bamboo curves under a breeze. A second reading suggests the upper strokes evoke the crinkled lines that form around a person's eyes when they laugh.
In terms of writing, 笑 requires 10 strokes and is officially taught in Grade 4 of Japanese elementary school, meaning native speakers learn it around age 9 or 10. It belongs to the Jōyō kanji list and uses 竹 (bamboo) as its radical.
Beyond physical laughter and smiling, 笑 extends into concepts of ridicule or mockery (laughing at someone), as well as warmth and social bonding. Context determines whether the laughter is kind or cutting, genuine or bitter.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 笑 is ショウ (shō), found mainly in formal vocabulary and compound words describing types or qualities of laughter.
- 爆笑 (bakushō) — burst of laughter, explosive laughter; the kind that is sudden and uncontrollable
- 微笑 (bishō) — a gentle smile, a faint or subtle smile; often used in formal or literary writing
- 苦笑 (kushō) — a wry smile or bitter grin; laughing despite frustration or awkwardness
- 冷笑 (reishō) — a cold laugh, a sneer; laughing at someone with contempt or disdain
- 失笑 (shisshō) — an involuntary laugh; laughing unexpectedly at something one perhaps should not find funny
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are わら.う (warau) and え.む (emu). These are the native Japanese verbs and the forms you will hear most often.
わらう is the most common and versatile reading. It covers everything from a quiet chuckle to a full belly laugh. The verb conjugates as a Group 1 (godan) verb.
- 笑う (warau) — to laugh, to smile
- 笑い声 (warai goe) — the sound of laughter, a laughing voice
- 笑い話 (warai banashi) — a funny story, a joke told as a narrative
- 大笑い (ōwarai) — hearty laughter, a big laugh; laughing loudly and freely
えむ (emu) is a softer, more literary reading meaning to smile gently. It rarely appears in casual speech but shows up in poetry and formal writing. The compound verb 微笑む (hohoemu) — to smile warmly — derives from this reading.
- 微笑む (hohoemu) — to smile warmly, to beam gently
- 笑む (emu) — to smile (literary/classical form)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 笑 turns up across a wide range of vocabulary — from casual daily expressions to formal literary terms:
Everyday actions and expressions:
- 笑う (warau) — to laugh; to smile; the base verb for all laughter-related action
- 笑顔 (egao) — a smiling face; one of the most frequently used and emotionally warm expressions in Japanese
- 笑える (waraeru) — to be able to laugh; colloquially used to mean "that's funny!" or "that's ridiculous!"
- 微笑む (hohoemu) — to smile gently and warmly, often with affection or tenderness
Types and qualities of laughter:
- 爆笑 (bakushō) — explosive or uncontrollable laughter; used when something is extremely funny
- 苦笑 (kushō) — a wry or forced smile; when you laugh despite being frustrated or uncomfortable
- 冷笑 (reishō) — a cold sneer or contemptuous laugh; laughing at someone with disdain
- 失笑 (shisshō) — an inadvertent laugh; when you can't help laughing at an inappropriate moment
- 含み笑い (fukumi warai) — a suppressed or hidden smile; smiling to oneself with a knowing look
- 高笑い (taka warai) — loud, booming laughter; laughing in a bold and unrestrained way
Social and cultural uses:
- 笑い者 (warai mono) — a laughingstock
- 笑い話 (warai banashi) — a funny anecdote or comic story meant to entertain
- 大笑い (ōwarai) — a big laugh; loud, hearty, uninhibited laughter shared among people
- 微笑 (bishō) — a subtle, gentle smile; used in formal and literary contexts to describe a refined expression
Example Sentences
彼女はいつも笑顔で挨拶する。
Kanojo wa itsumo egao de aisatsu suru.
She always greets people with a smile.
そのジョークを聞いて、みんなが笑った。
Sono jōku wo kiite, minna ga waratta.
Everyone laughed when they heard that joke.
赤ちゃんの笑い声はとても可愛い。
Akachan no warai goe wa totemo kawaii.
A baby's laugh is one of the best sounds in the world.
先生は苦笑しながら首を振った。
Sensei wa kushō shinagara kubi wo futta.
The teacher shook his head with a wry smile.
その映画は本当に笑えた。
Sono eiga wa hontō ni waraeta.
That movie was genuinely funny (I could really laugh at it).
彼は照れながら微笑んだ。
Kare wa terenagara hohoenda.
He smiled shyly, looking embarrassed.
そんな失敗をしたら笑い者になってしまうよ。
Sonna shippai wo shitara warai mono ni natte shimau yo.
Screw up like that and you'll never live it down.
会議中に失笑してしまった。とても恥ずかしかった。
Kaigi chū ni shisshō shite shimatta. Totemo hazukashikatta.
I couldn't hold back a laugh in the middle of the meeting. It was mortifying.
友達の笑い話を聞いて、爆笑した。
Tomodachi no warai banashi wo kiite, bakushō shita.
I burst out laughing listening to my friend's funny story.
笑うことはストレスを解消するのに効果的だと言われている。
Warau koto wa sutoresu wo kaishō suru no ni kōkateki da to iwarete iru.
It is said that laughing is effective for relieving stress.
Memory Tip
Picture two bamboo stalks (竹) at the top, swaying in a warm breeze. Below them, a small figure (夭) is bent forward, doubled over in laughter — body curving just like the bamboo above. The whole character captures that physical quality of laughter: the way your body bends and your eyes crinkle. Think: bamboo bending = a person laughing.