Entry
くっくっと
kukkutto
Kukkutto represents the sound of a quiet, stifled laugh or chuckle deep in the throat.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes someone trying to hold back their laughter, often when they find something privately amusing. It mimics the quiet, stuttering sound of a laugh being suppressed in the throat.
- stifled chuckle
- quiet giggle
Sense Map
Stifling a Laugh
When someone tries to hold back their laughter but a quiet sound escapes from their throat.
口元を押さえてくっくっと笑う。
Quiet Amusement
Chuckling softly to oneself because of something funny.
漫画を読みながらくっくっと笑っている。
Usage Note
How to Use
くっくっと + 笑う
くっくっと + 声を漏らす
How to Use
Common Phrases
くっくっと笑う
to chuckle / to giggle quietly
くっくっと声を殺して笑う
to laugh while stifling one's voice
くっくっと喉を鳴らす
to make a chuckling sound in one's throat
くっくっと吹き出す
to burst into a quiet chuckle
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Suppressing laughter | neutral | Shows the physical effort of keeping laughter quiet in situations where loud laughing is inappropriate. |
| Reading/watching alone | positive | Depicts mild, private entertainment. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くすくす くすくす / similar | Used for a light, continuous giggling sound, often with someone else or at someone's expense. | Kusukusu is a lighter, airier giggling sound, while kukkutto implies the sound is deeper in the throat and more physically restrained. | くすくす笑い合う |
くすっと くすっと / similar | Used when a small chuckle accidentally slips out just once. | Kusutto is a momentary, unintentional short chuckle, whereas kukkutto can be a bit more prolonged or repetitive in the throat. | クスッと笑う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for loud, open laughter.
Kukkutto is only for very quiet, suppressed laughter. For loud laughing, use あはは (ahaha).
Confusing it with a silent smile.
Since it is a phonomime (sound word), it requires a physical sound to be made, even if quiet. It is not used for just a facial expression.
Examples
Examples
彼は面白いメッセージを読んで、くっくっと笑った。
かれはおもしろいメッセージをよんで、くっくっとわらった。
He read a funny message and chuckled.
LiteralShows a quiet chuckle coming from the throat when entertained alone.
授業中、後ろの席からくっくっと笑う声が聞こえた。
じゅぎょうちゅう、うしろのせきからくっくっとわらうこえがきこえた。
During class, I heard a stifled laugh from the seat behind me.
LiteralDescribes someone trying to hold back laughter in a quiet situation.
彼女は思い出し笑いをして、くっくっと喉を鳴らした。
かのじょはおもいだしわらいをして、くっくっとのどをならした。
She remembered something funny and chuckled in her throat.
LiteralFocuses on the sound of laughter suppressed in the throat.
子供たちは布団をかぶって、くっくっと声を殺して笑っている。
こどもたちはふとんをかぶって、くっくっとこえをころしてわらっている。
The children hid under the futon, giggling quietly to themselves.
LiteralDepicts a strong effort to hide the sound of laughter from others.
その冗談を聞いて、彼も思わずくっくっと吹き出した。
そのじょうだんをきいて、かれもおもわずくっくっとふきだした。
Hearing that joke, he also unintentionally burst into a quiet chuckle.
LiteralA stifled laugh that slightly bursts out because it is too funny.
Similar Words
Questions
Can kukkutto be an evil laugh?
Generally no. It usually describes innocent amusement. A plotting or sinister suppressed laugh is more commonly represented by くくく (kukuku).
What is the difference between kukkutto and kusukusu?
Kukkutto emphasizes the physical restraint of the laugh in the throat, while kusukusu is a more typical whispered giggle.
Is kukkutto a giseigo or gitaigo?
It is a giseigo (phonomime) because it mimics the actual acoustic sound of a stifled chuckle.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2529370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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