How to say "humorous" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

滑稽こっけいJLPT N1approx.Common
na-adjective, nounCovers the 'funny, comical, laughable' senses: used of people, behavior, or situations that strike one as comical and provoke laughter, often with a hint of absurdity or ridiculousness.
彼かれはこっけいな性質せいしつの人ひとだ。↗
He is of a humorous turn of mind.
ユーモラスCommon
na-adjectiveThe direct loanword equivalent of 'humorous': describes people, remarks, or writing that have humor, suggesting wit and good-natured amusement rather than anything laughable or absurd.
ユーモラスな話はなしから気持きもちの悪わるい話はなしまで、前巻ぜんかん同様どうようにいろいろなタイプの話はなしが楽たのしめます。↗
From humorous to creepy stories, like the last volume, you can enjoy various types of stories.

Choose 滑稽 for the broad 'funny, comical, laughable' sense—something that provokes laughter, often absurdly—and 「ユーモラス」 for the narrower 'humorous' sense of wit or good-natured amusement.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

滑稽こっけいfunny
ユーモラスhumorous
おもしろおかしいhumorous
コメディタッチcomedic style

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