作(つく)り笑(わら)い

つくりわらい
noun
fake smile; forced smile
1. fake smile; forced smile; put-on laugh
a smile or laugh that is not genuine, often used socially or to hide true feelings
作(つく)り笑(わら)いをする。
To put on a fake smile.
あの笑顔(えがお)は作(つく)り笑(わら)いだと分(わ)かる。
I can tell that smile is fake.
本心(ほんしん)を隠(かく)して作(つく)り笑(わら)いで乗(の)り切(き)った。
I hid my true feelings and got through it with a fake smile.

COMPOUND:
作(つく)る (to make, create) + 笑(わら)い (smile, laugh)
Literally "manufactured smile."

NUANCE:

Can be used neutrally (social necessity) or negatively (insincerity). Context determines:

  • Neutral: Smiling professionally or to be polite
  • Negative: Being fake or deceptive

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 作(つく)り笑(わら)いをする - to fake a smile
  • 作(つく)り笑(わら)いを浮(う)かべる - to wear a fake smile
  • 作(つく)り笑(わら)いで誤魔化(ごまか)す - to cover up with a fake smile

RELATED:

  • 愛想笑(あいそうわら)い - polite/social smile
  • 営業(えいぎょう)スマイル - customer service smile
  • 嘘泣(うそな)き - fake crying
  • 薄笑(うすわら)い - smirk
general
Added 2026.1.27 12:47
08000/08473_tsukuriwarai