Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "笑います", "わらう", "笑う", "笑い"
All represent the core concept "laugh", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
笑います
わらいます (waraimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
わらう
わらう (warau)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
笑う
わらう (warau)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
笑い
わらい (warai)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "laugh" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "笑います", "わらう", "笑う", "笑い" based on context.
- 笑います (わらいます (waraimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to laugh, to smile" and is used when Verb, polite form. Refers to the act of laughing or smiling. The dictionary form is 笑う.
- わらう (わらう (warau) - Level: N5): Maps to "to laugh, to smile" and is used when Expresses happiness or amusement. 「笑顔.
- 笑う (わらう (warau) - Level: N4): Maps to "to laugh, to smile" and is used when Expresses amusement, happiness, or sometimes sarcasm, with a laugh or smile..
- 笑い (わらい (warai) - Level: N3): Maps to "laugh, laughter, smile (noun)" and is used when The noun form of 笑う.
Context for "笑います"
彼女はいつも笑顔で笑います。
She always laughs with a smile.
Context for "わらう"
彼女はいつも笑顔で笑っています。
She is always laughing with a smile.
Context for "笑う"
面白い話を聞いて、みんなで笑った。
We all laughed after hearing the funny story.
Context for "笑い"
みんなの笑い声が部屋中に響きました。
Everyone's laughter echoed throughout the room.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女はいつも笑顔で ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "She always laughs with a smile.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "笑います" is correct here because it represents "to laugh, to smile" in the context: "She always laughs with a smile.".