Entry
ケラケラ
kerakera
Kerakera describes the sound of bright, high-pitched, and continuous laughter, which can sometimes sound careless or frivolous.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures a light, sharp laughing sound often associated with amused children or young women. While it frequently portrays a carefree and cheerful mood, it can also carry a negative nuance when describing someone who laughs thoughtlessly or inappropriately during a serious situation.
- Bright, high-pitched laughing
- Careless or inappropriate laughter
Sense Map
Cheerful Laugh
Describes a light, continuous, and high-pitched laugh caused by genuine amusement.
子供がケラケラ笑う
Frivolous Laugh
Describes a shallow laugh that suggests the person is not taking a situation seriously or lacks sensitivity.
不真面目にケラケラ笑う
Usage Note
How to Use
ケラケラ笑う
Directly modifies the verb warau (to laugh) to indicate the shrill manner of laughing.
ケラケラと笑う
The particle to emphasizes the onomatopoeic nature of the sound.
ケラケラと
Often used alone before a pause to set the scene with the sound of laughter.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ケラケラ笑う
to laugh with a cackle
ケラケラと笑う
to laugh shrilly
ケラケラ笑い声を上げる
to let out a high-pitched laugh
明るくケラケラ笑う
to laugh brightly and merrily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Children playing or friends joking around | positive | Implies a bright, carefree, and genuinely amused mood. |
| During a serious discussion or a solemn moment | negative | Highlights a lack of manners, insensitivity, or an inappropriately casual attitude. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
げらげら げらげら / opposite | Use geragera for a loud, boisterous, deep belly laugh (guffaw). | Geragera is heavy and voluminous, whereas kerakera is light, shrill, and high-pitched. | お笑い番組を見てゲラゲラ笑う |
ころころ ころころ / similar | Use korokoro for a cute, pleasant, bell-like laughing sound. | Korokoro has a sweeter, rounder impression, while kerakera can sound a bit sharper or less sensitive. | 鈴を転がすようにコロコロ笑う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kerakera to describe an older man's deep, hearty guffaw.
Kerakera is high-pitched. For a deep, loud laugh, use geragera instead.
Using this word to compliment a business client's sense of humor.
Because it can imply being frivolous or shallow, it is not polite to use this to describe a superior's laughter.
Examples
Examples
子供たちがテレビのバラエティ番組を見て、ケラケラと笑っている。
こどもたちがテレビのバラエティばんぐみをみて、ケラケラとわらっている。
The children are watching a TV variety show and laughing with bright, high-pitched voices.
LiteralDescribes the carefree, high-pitched laughter of children.
彼女は私の失敗談を聞いて、明るくケラケラ笑った。
かのじょはわたしのしっぱいだんをきいて、あかるくケラケラわらった。
She listened to my story of failure and laughed brightly.
LiteralUsed with a 'brightly' modifier to highlight the positive tone of the laugh.
大事な話をしているのに、彼がケラケラ笑うので怒ってしまった。
だいじなはなしをしているのに、かれがケラケラわらうのでおこってしまった。
I got angry because he was laughing frivolously even though I was talking about something important.
LiteralAn example of the negative nuance, showing laughter that is insensitive to the situation.
後ろの席の女子高生たちが、楽しそうにケラケラ笑い声を上げている。
うしろのせきのじょしこうせいたちが、たのしそうにケラケラわらいごえをあげている。
The high school girls in the back seats are happily letting out high-pitched laughs.
LiteralOften used to describe the collective laughter of young women.
彼は相手の失敗を見て、意地悪くケラケラと笑った。
かれはあいてのしっぱいをみて、いじわるくケラケラとわらった。
Seeing his opponent's failure, he laughed shrilly and meanly.
LiteralShows that this laughing sound can be used to describe a sharp, mocking attitude.
Similar Words
ゲラゲラ
geragera
It describes roaring with loud, uninhibited laughter. Geragera refers to a deep, loud belly laugh, opposite to the light, high-pitched kerakera.
ころころ
korokoro
The light rolling movement of small, round objects, or things that change easily and frequently. Korokoro also describes a bright laugh, but sounds cuter and rounder without negative connotations.
Questions
Is kerakera a bad word?
No. It is neutral when describing the innocent, bright laughter of children, but it becomes negative if it describes someone laughing when they should be serious.
How is kerakera different from geragera?
Geragera is a loud, roaring belly laugh, while kerakera is a lighter, sharper, higher-pitched cackle.
Can men laugh kerakera?
While it is more commonly associated with women or children due to the high pitch, a man can laugh this way if his laugh is noticeably high-pitched and light.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121220
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- かん (kan)
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- ころっと (korotto)