Entry
ゲラゲラ
geragera
It describes roaring with loud, uninhibited laughter.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word paints a picture of someone laughing boisterously with an open mouth, completely uninhibited. It is often used when reacting to hilarious jokes or comedy shows where you simply cannot hold back your laughter.
- Loud, open-mouthed laughter
- The echoing sound of people guffawing
Sense Map
Hearty Laughter
The action of laughing loudly and freely because something is genuinely hilarious.
テレビを見てゲラゲラ笑う。
Sound of Laughter
Refers to the physical, booming sound of loud laughter that can be heard by others.
隣からゲラゲラと笑う声がする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ゲラゲラ笑う
The most standard form, placed directly before the verb 'warau' (to laugh).
ゲラゲラと笑う
Adds the particle 'to' to emphasize the manner of the roaring laughter.
ゲラゲラ笑い出す
Used when someone suddenly bursts into a loud guffaw.
ゲラゲラ笑い声
Used as a compound noun meaning 'loud laughing voice' or 'sound of guffawing'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ゲラゲラ笑う
to laugh loudly / to guffaw
ゲラゲラと笑う
to laugh heartily
ゲラゲラ笑い出す
to burst into loud laughter
ゲラゲラ笑い転げる
to roll around laughing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Watching comedy | positive | Perfectly natural to describe how funny a show was; it shows you had a great time. |
| Quiet public places | negative | Laughing 'geragera' on a train or in a library is considered disruptive and rude. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
けらけら けらけら / similar | Use for a higher-pitched, bright cackling laugh. | Not as deep or roaring as ゲラゲラ. | 女の子たちがケラケラ笑っている。 |
へらへら へらへら / similar | Use for a thoughtless or apologetic laugh to mask embarrassment, or for not taking things seriously. | Not used for genuine, hearty amusement. | 怒られているのにヘラヘラしている。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a polite, quiet chuckle.
Use 'kusu' (クスッ) for a small laugh; 'geragera' is explicitly loud and uninhibited.
Using it to describe a nervous smile when making a mistake.
Smiling to cover up a mistake is 'herahera' (ヘラヘラ), never 'geragera'.
Examples
Examples
テレビのコメディ番組を見て、家族みんなでゲラゲラ笑った。
テレビ の コメディ ばんぐみ を みて、 かぞく みんな で ゲラゲラ わらった。
Watching a comedy show on TV, the whole family roared with laughter.
LiteralDescribes the loud, natural laughter when watching something funny.
彼の冗談が面白すぎて、いつまでもゲラゲラと笑ってしまった。
かれ の じょうだん が おもしろすぎて、 いつまでも ゲラゲラ と わらって しまった。
His joke was so funny that I couldn't stop laughing heartily.
LiteralThe particle 'to' slightly emphasizes the ongoing manner of laughing.
居酒屋から、おじさんたちのゲラゲラ笑う声が聞こえてくる。
いざかや から、 おじさんたち の ゲラゲラ わらう こえ が きこえて くる。
From the pub (izakaya), you can hear the voices of middle-aged men guffawing.
LiteralFocuses on the loud, booming sound of laughter that can be heard from afar.
彼女はさっきの失敗を思い出して、突然一人でゲラゲラ笑い出した。
かのじょ は さっき の しっぱい を おもいだして、 とつぜん ひとりで ゲラゲラ わらいだした。
She remembered her earlier mistake and suddenly burst into loud laughter all by herself.
LiteralShows an unexpected outburst of laughter where the person simply cannot hold back their amusement.
友だちの作り話がおかしくて、お腹を抱えてゲラゲラ笑い転げた。
ともだち の つくりばなし が おかしくて、 おなか を かかえて ゲラゲラ わらいころげた。
My friend's made-up story was so funny, I held my stomach and rolled around roaring with laughter.
VisualVisual: so intense that it affects the body (holding the stomach, rolling).
Similar Words
ケラケラ
kerakera
Kerakera describes the sound of bright, high-pitched, and continuous laughter, which can sometimes sound careless or frivolous. A brighter, higher-pitched cackle.
ヘラヘラ
herahera
To laugh or smile in a foolish, thoughtless, or flippant manner. Laughing to cover embarrassment or showing a lack of seriousness.
ケタケタ
ketaketa
Ketaketa describes a loud, shrill, and uninhibited laugh, much like a cackle.
どっと
dotto
Dotto describes a sudden, large influx of people, or a simultaneous outbreak of sound or applause.
Questions
Is 'geragera' a good thing?
Yes, it is generally positive as it shows genuine happiness. However, doing it in a formal setting can be inappropriate.
What's the difference between 'geragera' and 'kerakera'?
'Geragera' is a deep, loud guffaw, while 'kerakera' is a higher-pitched, brighter cackle.
Can I use 'geragera' for smiling?
No, it strictly describes the audible sound of loud laughter with an open mouth, not just a facial expression.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1629790
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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