1.
to sneer; to scoff; to sniff at; to laugh derisively
To express contempt or dismissal by laughing through one's nose - a derisive, mocking laugh that shows one looks down on something or someone.
彼の提案を鼻で笑われた。
His proposal was scoffed at.
そんなことできるわけないと鼻で笑った。
He sneered, saying there's no way that could happen.
素人の意見だと鼻で笑わないでほしい。
I don't want you to sniff at it just because it's an amateur's opinion.
IDIOM STRUCTURE:
鼻 (nose) + で + 笑う (to laugh)
Describes a contemptuous laugh made through the nose - a snort or sniff that expresses derision.
NUANCE:
Always negative. Expresses:
- Contempt
- Mockery
- Dismissiveness
- Looking down on someone/something
The sound described is like "ふん" or "はっ" - a derisive snort.
GRAMMAR PATTERNS:
- 〜を鼻で笑う - to sneer at ~
- 鼻で笑われる (passive) - to be sneered at
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 嘲笑する - to ridicule (more formal)
- 馬鹿にする - to make fun of, to look down on
- 小馬鹿にする - to slightly mock
- 鼻であしらう - to brush off contemptuously
- せせら笑う - to sneer, to laugh mockingly
REGISTER:
Neutral to informal. The action itself is considered rude, but the expression is commonly used to describe such behavior.