Entry
いひひ
ihihi
A mischievous, sneaky, or slightly creepy laugh.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics a sneaky or plotting laugh, often translated as "tee-hee" or "hee-hee". It is typically used in fiction to depict characters who are planning a prank, acting malicious, or finding amusement in something slightly devious.
- Sneaky laugh
- Plotting chuckle
Sense Map
Plotting or mischievousness
Used when someone is planning a prank or something secretly malicious.
いひひと企む
Creepy laughter
Indicates a strange and eerie laugh, often made by villains.
暗闇でいひひと笑う
Usage Note
How to Use
いひひ！
Used as a direct exclamation (interjection) when someone laughs sneakily.
いひひと + verb
Acts as an adverb describing how an action (usually laughing) is performed.
いひひという + noun
Used to modify a noun, referring to the "hee-hee" sound being heard.
How to Use
Common Phrases
いひひと笑う
laugh sneakily
「いひひ」と言う
say "hee hee"
いひひと声を出す
let out a sneaky laugh
いひひと企む
scheme with a sneaky laugh
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Antagonists in manga | negative | Shows malice or a hidden evil plan. |
| Mischievous children | neutral | Shows they are about to pull a harmless prank on a friend. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うふふ うふふ / similar | For a soft or suppressed laugh, usually feminine. | It has no malicious or sneaky undertones; it is gentle or secretive. | うふふと微笑む |
えへへ えへへ / similar | For an awkward, bashful, or embarrassed laugh. | Unlike the sneaky いひひ, えへへ is used when feeling shy or mildly guilty without bad intentions. | えへへと頭をかく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to respond casually to a friend's joke.
Use "あはは" (ahaha) instead; いひひ makes you sound like you have malicious intentions.
Using it when feeling embarrassed about a small mistake.
An embarrassed laugh is usually depicted with えへへ (ehehe) or てへへ (tehehe).
Examples
Examples
悪役が暗闇でいひひと笑った。
あくやくがくらやみでいひひとわらった。
The villain laughed mischievously in the dark.
LiteralIndicates the actual laughing sound.
彼は何かを企んでいるのか、いひひと声を漏らした。
かれはなにかをたくらんでいるのか、いひひとこえをもらした。
Perhaps he was plotting something, as he let out a sneaky "hee-hee" laugh.
LiteralIndicates the actual laughing sound.
「いひひ、これで誰も気づかないぞ」と少年は言った。
「いひひ、これでだれもきづかないぞ」としょうねんはいった。
"Hee-hee, nobody will notice it this way," the boy said.
LiteralIndicates the actual laughing sound.
彼女はいひひと笑いながら、いたずら用の道具を取り出した。
かのじょはいひひとわらいながら、いたずらようのどうぐをとりだした。
Chuckling mischievously, she took out her prank tools.
LiteralIndicates the actual laughing sound.
後ろからいひひという気味の悪い笑い声が聞こえた。
うしろからいひひというきみのわるいわらいごえがきこえた。
I heard a creepy "hee-hee" laugh coming from behind.
LiteralIndicates the actual laughing sound.
Similar Words
うふふ
ufufu
A gentle, subdued chuckle, conventionally associated with a feminine tone. うふふ is a gentle, non-malicious laugh, contrasting with the sneaky いひひ.
えへへ
ehehe
えへへ (ehehe) represents a sheepish, mildly embarrassed, or mildly mischievous laugh. えへへ shows innocent embarrassment without bad intentions.
Questions
Is this word commonly used in daily conversation?
No. It mostly appears in manga, anime, or novels to depict a specific character's laugh.
Is this a masculine or feminine laugh?
It can be used by both, but it is frequently associated with witches, sneaky villains, or mischievous boys.
What is the difference between "ihihi" and "ahaha"?
"Ahaha" is a bright and open laugh. In contrast, "ihihi" is a suppressed, sneaky laugh that often hides bad intentions.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2748400
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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