Entry
えへらえへら
eheraehera
えへらえへら describes a hollow or nervous laugh used to cover up embarrassment, dodge a serious topic, or act subserviently.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word represents the sound or attitude of laughing without any genuine emotion or amusement. It usually occurs when someone feels awkward, wants to gloss over a mistake, deflects a serious conversation, or acts overly agreeable to please others.
- nervous laugh to hide embarrassment
- fawning or hollow laugh
Sense Map
Hiding Embarrassment
Used when someone lets out a hollow laugh to cover up a mistake or avoid an awkward situation.
失敗をごまかそうとえへらえへら笑う
Fawning or Subservient
Laughing without genuine emotion to curry favor or show superficial submission to an authority figure.
上司にえへらえへらする
Usage Note
How to Use
えへらえへら笑う
The most common pattern, directly meaning 'to laugh hollowly or nervously'.
えへらえへらと + verb
Describes an action done while letting out a meaningless laugh (for example, making an excuse or apologizing).
えへらえへらする
Describes the continuous state or attitude of someone acting in a fawning or awkwardly laughing manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
えへらえへら笑う
to laugh hollowly / nervously
えへらえへらと笑ってごまかす
to laugh hollowly to cover something up
えへらえへらしている
to be acting with a fawning or nervous laugh
えへらえへら言い訳する
to make excuses while laughing nervously
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When being scolded for a mistake. | Negative | If you えへらえへら instead of apologizing sincerely, it will likely anger the other person significantly more. |
| In front of a boss. | Negative | It can make someone look like a sycophant or a spineless yes-man. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
けたけた けたけた / similar | Use ケタケタ for a loud, shrill, and genuinely amused laugh. | ケタケタ contains actual amusement, while えへらえへら lacks genuine emotion and is used merely out of awkwardness. | ケタケタ笑う |
くすっと くすっと / similar | Use クスッと for a quiet, unintentional chuckle caused by something genuinely funny. | クスッと is never used to aggressively cover up embarrassment or to fawn over someone like えへらえへら is. | クスッと笑う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using えへらえへら to describe laughing at a very funny comedy routine.
Use words like アハハ or ケタケタ instead. The word えへらえへら implies there is no genuine happiness.
Using it to compliment someone's constantly cheerful and smiling personality.
It has a negative connotation (insincere or fawning), so it sounds insulting if used as a compliment.
Examples
Examples
彼は失敗をごまかそうと、えへらえへら笑った。
かれ は しっぱい を ごまかそう と、 えへらえへら わらった。
He let out a hollow laugh to cover up his mistake.
VisualShows an awkward laugh to dodge responsibility.
上司の前でえへらえへらしている彼を見ると腹が立つ。
じょうし の まえ で えへらえへら している かれ を みる と はら が たつ。
It makes me angry seeing him constantly fawning and laughing nervously in front of the boss.
FigurativeDescribes a sycophantic and insincere attitude.
えへらえへらと言い訳ばかりしていては、誰からも信用されないよ。
えへらえへら と いいわけ ばかり していて は、 だれ から も しんよう されない よ。
If you keep making excuses with a hollow laugh, no one will trust you.
VisualThe hollow laugh while making excuses shows a lack of seriousness.
彼女は困ったようにえへらえへら笑ってその場をやり過ごした。
かのじょ は こまった よう に えへらえへら わらって その ば を やりすごした。
She gave an awkward, hollow laugh as if troubled and just let the moment pass.
VisualThe laugh is used as a defense mechanism when at a loss.
真面目な話をしているのに、えへらえへらしないでください。
まじめ な はなし を している のに、 えへらえへら しないで ください。
Please do not let out that hollow laugh when we are having a serious conversation.
FigurativeScolding someone for an attitude that does not take things seriously.
Similar Words
クスッと
kusutto
A small chuckle at something funny, not used to cover up mistakes.
Questions
Is えへらえへら the same as へらへら?
Yes, they are practically identical in meaning. The word えへらえへら just puts a little more emphasis on the initial vocalized sound of the laugh.
Can I use this word to describe myself?
Yes, you can use it in a self-deprecating way to describe how you laughed nervously in an awkward situation.
Is it a polite word?
No. Saying someone is 'えへらえへらしている' is a direct criticism of their insincerity or lack of seriousness.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2073960
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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