作(つく)り笑(わら)い

つくりわらい

noun

fake smile; forced smile

emotion expression

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.

Compounds

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

Usage

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 words

Related Words

Related: 愛想笑(あいそうわら)い (polite/social smile)

Related: 営業(えいぎょう)スマイル (customer service smile)

Related: 嘘泣(うそな)き (fake crying)

Related: 薄笑(うすわら)い (smirk)

Compare: 愛想笑(あいそわら)い (forced smile)

Compare: 嘘笑(うそわら)い (fake smile)

general

Added 2026.1.27 12:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

08000/08473_tsukuriwarai