苦笑(にがわら)い

にがわらい
noun, suru verb
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile
1. bitter smile; wry smile; a smile expressing discomfort or awkwardness
a smile that conveys a sense of discomfort, embarrassment, irony, or resignation rather than genuine happiness
彼(かれ)は苦笑(にがわら)いを浮(う)かべた。
He gave a bitter smile.
失敗(しっぱい)を思(おも)い出(だ)して苦笑(にがわら)いした。
I gave a wry smile remembering my failure.
からかわれて、苦笑(にがわら)いするしかなかった。
I was teased and could only smile bitterly.

FORMATION:
苦(にが)い (bitter) + 笑(わら)い (smile/laugh) → bitter smile

VERB FORMS:
苦笑(にがわら)いする (to smile bitterly)
苦笑(にがわら)いを浮(う)かべる (to show a bitter smile)

WHEN USED:

  • When faced with an awkward situation
  • When reminded of past mistakes
  • When receiving unwanted but well-meaning advice
  • When something is ironically true

TYPES OF SMILES IN JAPANESE:

  • 微笑(ほほえ)み (gentle smile)
  • 愛想笑(あいそうわら)い (polite/forced smile)
  • 作(つく)り笑(わら)い (fake smile)
  • 照(て)れ笑(わら)い (embarrassed smile)
  • 薄笑(うすわら)い (smirk)
  • 高笑(たかわら)い (loud laugh)

ALTERNATE READING:
苦笑(くしょう) is also valid but less common in everyday speech.

general
Added 2026.1.26 13:26 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
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