Translation and Meaning of: 笑う - warau

The Japanese word 「笑う」 (warau) is a verb that means "to laugh" or "to smile". Its pronunciation, "warau", is commonly used in everyday life to indicate moments of joy or comedic situations. This word is frequently found in various contexts, from informal conversations to works of art and literature, demonstrating the importance of laughter in Japanese culture.

From an etymological point of view, 「笑う」 is composed of the kanji 「笑」, which is used in other words related to laughter, such as 「笑顔」 (egao), which means "smiling face." The kanji 「笑」 is made up of the radicals 「竹」 (bamboo) on top, combined with 「夭」 (premature death), forming an image that, over the centuries, evolved to express joy or amusement. The conjugation of the verb in the Japanese language maintains the simplicity of the radical, but its intonation can vary the meaning.

Historically, the act of laughing, represented by 「笑う」, transcends mere facial expression, being considered crucial in many Japanese cultural traditions. For example, in Noh theater, laughter is a powerful tool for conveying complex emotions without words. Additionally, laughter is seen as an essential means of communication between people, helping to strengthen social ties and overcome cultural and linguistic barriers. The verb 「笑う」 encapsulates this rich tradition of non-verbal communication.

In modern usage, besides expressing humor and happiness, 「笑う」 can also carry nuances that indicate nervousness or relief, depending on the context of the sentence. This aspect makes laughter a multifaceted and vital expression in everyday communication. The word is also used in compound forms such as 「微笑む」 (hohoemu), which means "gentle smile." This diversity of usage underscores the flexibility and depth present in the Japanese vocabulary related to human expressions.

Vocabulary

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Verb conjugation of 笑う

• 笑う - Dictionary form base form
• 笑います - Polite form polite form
• 笑っています - Progressive form progressive form
• 笑えば - Conditional form conditional form
• 笑われる - ive form ive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 笑い (Warai) - Riso
• にやり (Niyari) - Mischievous or naughty smile
• くすくす笑う (Kusukusu warau) - Laugh softly, typically at something funny.
• ほくそ笑む (Hokusoemu) - Smiling from within, hidden laughter, often of secret satisfaction
• にやける (Niyakeru) - Smile in a silly or satisfied way
• 微笑む (Bishoumu) - Smile gently
• うふふ笑う (Ufufu warau) - Smile in an innocent or fun way
• にっこり笑う (Nikkori warau) - Smile broadly, warmly
• にやにやする (Niyaniya suru) - Smile mischievously, similar to "niyari"
• にやっとする (Niyatto suru) - Slightly smiling action, with a touch of satisfaction.
• にやけ笑いをする (Niyake warai wo suru) - To laugh foolishly, often involuntarily
• にやけ顔をする (Niyake kao wo suru) - To have an expression that shows a silly or satisfied smile
• にやり顔をする (Niyari kao wo suru) - Make a mischievous smile expression

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