笑
笑·laugh, smile
- On-yomi
- ショウ
- Kun-yomi
- わらうえむ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 笑う | わらう | to laugh, to smile |
| 笑顔 | えがお | smiling face |
| 笑い声 | わらいごえ | laughter |
| 大笑い | おおわらい | a big laugh |
Example sentences
みんなが笑って楽しそうだった。
みんながわらってたのしそうだった。
Everyone was laughing and seemed to be having fun.
彼女はいつも笑顔で話します。
かのじょはいつもえがおではなします。
She always speaks with a smile.
隣の部屋から笑い声が聞こえる。
となりのへやからわらいごえがきこえる。
I can hear laughter from the next room.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 笑顔 is read えがお, an irregular reading — not わらいがお
- 笑う can also mean to laugh at someone: 人を笑う is unkind, not friendly
Memory aid
Picture it
Bamboo ⺮ over a figure bending — bamboo bends in the wind the way a body bends over laughing.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 笑 mean?