笑 — Laugh
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Start 7-Day Free Trial →Visual Radical Families for 笑 (Laugh)
These kanjis share the same recurring visual building block in Shibashi's Japanese kanji mnemonics. Tap any small tile to compare its story:
Common Japanese Words with 笑 (Laugh)
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To let out joyful sounds of laughter (笑) or show a beaming face is to laugh/smile.
The expression or sound of cheerful mirth (笑) is laughter.
A soft, pleasant grin or smile (笑) breaking across one's face is a smile.
A hearty, big (大) burst of uncontrollable laughter (笑) is a big laugh.
A bitter (苦) or strained laugh (笑) produced in an uncomfortable situation is a wry smile.
Smiling in an awkward, bitter (苦) fashion (笑) is a wry laugh.
Frequently Asked Questions About 笑 (Laugh)
What is the best kanji mnemonic for 笑 (Laugh)?
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The Shibashi Japanese kanji mnemonic for 笑 ("Laugh", read as しょう) is: Arrest warrant (わら) has been issued to end (え) the rouge grain with guns on his shoulders (しょう) laughing hysterically... Using visual kanji mnemonics that combine the character's radicals, meaning, and reading into a single illustrated scene makes 笑 effortless to recall.
What does the kanji 笑 mean and how is it read in Japanese?
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The Japanese kanji 笑 means "Laugh". Its primary reading is しょう (On'yomi: しょう; Kun'yomi: わら, え). Our Japanese kanji mnemonics tie the reading directly into the visual story so you remember both the meaning and pronunciation together.
What are common Japanese words and compounds with 笑?
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Essential Japanese vocabulary words containing 笑 include: 笑う (わらう - to laugh; to smile), 笑い (わらい - laughter; smile; laugh), 笑み (えみ - smile), 大笑い (おおわらい - big laugh; roar of laughter).
How do Japanese kanji mnemonics help you remember 笑 (Laugh) faster?
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Traditional rote stroke repetition fades quickly. Shibashi's Japanese kanji mnemonics turn 笑 (Laugh) and its shared visual radical family into memorable characters and objects, paired with smart Spaced Repetition (SRS) and native audio so the memory sticks permanently.