Entry
ケタケタ
ketaketa
Ketaketa describes a loud, shrill, and uninhibited laugh, much like a cackle.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express a high-pitched, wild laughter that lacks restraint. It can describe the innocent but noisy laughter of children, or the cynical, sometimes annoying cackle of a villain.
- shrill uninhibited laughter
- cynical cackling
Sense Map
Shrill Uninhibited Laugh
Used for high-pitched laughter that comes out spontaneously and uncontrollably, often associated with energetic children.
子供たちがケタケタ笑う。
Cynical Cackle
Used for laughter that carries a mischievous, mocking, or sly nuance, similar to a witch's or villain's cackle.
魔女がケタケタと笑っている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ケタケタと + verb
ケタケタ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ケタケタ笑う
to cackle / laugh wildly
ケタケタと笑う
to laugh with a cackle
ケタケタ笑い出す
to burst into a cackle
ケタケタという笑い声
a cackling laugh
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Children playing | neutral | Shows that they are playing cheerfully and loudly without holding back. |
| Witnessing someone's failure | negative | Sounds impolite and as though one is mocking or laughing at someone's misfortune. |
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 bright, shrill laugh that sounds cheerful or somewhat lighthearted. | Kerakera is generally positive or innocent, whereas ketaketa can sound more uninhibited, mischievous, or even slightly cynical. | 彼女はケラケラと笑った。 |
げらげら げらげら / similar | Use for loud, deep, and unrestrained guffawing, often holding one's stomach. | Geragera focuses on the sheer volume and deepness of a belly laugh, while ketaketa is shrill and high-pitched. | テレビを見てゲラゲラ笑う。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a quiet or polite chuckle.
Ketaketa is inherently loud and uninhibited; use 'kusutto' for a quiet chuckle.
Assuming it always has a positive, cheerful nuance.
It can sometimes carry a cynical or annoying nuance, like a villain's cackle.
Examples
Examples
魔女がケタケタと笑っている。
魔女がケタケタと笑っている。
The witch is cackling shrilly.
LiteralDescribes the classic shrill cackle of a villain.
子供たちが何かを見てケタケタ笑い出した。
子供たちが何かを見てケタケタ笑い出した。
The children burst into a shrill laugh looking at something.
LiteralFocuses on spontaneous, unrestrained laughter.
彼は人の失敗を見てケタケタと笑った。
彼は人の失敗を見てケタケタと笑った。
He cackled at someone else's failure.
LiteralShows a cynical and slightly mocking nuance.
深夜の公園からケタケタという笑い声が聞こえた。
深夜の公園からケタケタという笑い声が聞こえた。
A shrill cackling laugh was heard from the park late at night.
LiteralUsed as a noun phrase to describe the quality of the sound.
彼女は冗談を言って自分でケタケタ笑っている。
彼女は冗談を言って自分でケタケタ笑っている。
She told a joke and is cackling wildly at it herself.
LiteralDemonstrates an uninhibited, cheerful state of laughing.
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, more innocent high-pitched laugh compared to ketaketa.
ゲラゲラ
geragera
It describes roaring with loud, uninhibited laughter. Loud, deep guffawing (belly laugh), rather than a shrill cackle.
Questions
What is the difference between kerakera and ketaketa?
'Kerakera' is a bright, cheerful laugh, whereas 'ketaketa' is more uninhibited and can sometimes sound cynical or mischievous.
Can I use 'ketaketa' to describe my boss laughing?
No. Since 'ketaketa' implies a lack of restraint or elegance, using it for a superior is impolite.
Who usually laughs with a 'ketaketa' sound?
It is often used for children playing wildly, or for villains in anime who have a shrill cackle.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2516910
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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