JLPT N5 Beginner
笑う
To laugh or to smile
Readings
Other forms
笑います polite form
笑った plain past
笑って te-form
笑える potential form
嗤う rare kanji for ridiculing
1 Verb (intransitive)
To laugh" / "To smile
Encompasses both the audible act of laughing and the facial expression of smiling.
Example
その 冗談 が 面白くて 、 みんな で 笑った 。
That joke was funny, so everyone laughed.
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2 Verb (transitive)
To laugh at" / "To ridicule
Expresses scorn or mockery directed at a specific target.
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3 Verb (intransitive, often as `笑ってしまう` or `笑っちゃう`)
To laugh (in disbelief)
Represents a reaction of disbelief or resignation when a situation is absurd.
Usage notes & examples
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