How to say "giggle" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- interjectionThe onomatopoeia for a light, often slightly embarrassed or cheeky giggle — the sound 'heh heh heh' itself. Use it where English would write the laugh out, rather than to describe the act of giggling.
- くすくす笑うくすくすわらうexpression, godan verbThe verb 'to giggle': to laugh quietly rather than out loud. Use this when you need to state the action — that someone giggled — rather than render the sound itself.
- adverb (with と)The mimetic word for quiet giggling: it depicts the sound and manner of the laugh rather than stating the action. When you need a verb, くすくす笑う is the direct match.
- interjectionReally an exclamation of loud, gleeful or villainous laughter — a cackle, a 'mwahaha' — rather than a giggle. For the quiet giggle English usually means, this is seldom the word you want.
- 含み笑いふくみわらいnoun, suru verbA laugh held in rather than let out: suppressed laughter that escapes as a giggle or chuckle. Use this noun for someone trying not to laugh outright.
For quiet giggling use the verb 「くすくす笑う」 or the mimetic 「くすくす」; 「えへへ」 renders the sound itself, 「含み笑い」 is a laugh held in, and 「うひゃ」 is really a loud cackle.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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