1.
comedy, humor, comedic entertainment
The genre of comedy and comedic performance, especially the Japanese tradition of stand-up comedy (manzai, conte, etc.).
お笑い番組を見る。
I watch comedy shows.
彼はお笑い芸人を目指している。
He's aiming to become a comedian.
日本のお笑い文化は漫才とコントが中心だ。
Japanese comedy culture centers on manzai and skit comedy.
2.
something laughable, a joke, absurd
Used to describe a situation or thing that is ridiculous or not to be taken seriously.
そんな計画はお笑いだ。
That plan is a joke.
お笑い草にされた。
I was made a laughingstock.
真剣に話しているのに、お笑い扱いされるのは困る。
I'm talking seriously, so it's frustrating to be treated as a joke.
The お prefix here adds a conventional, established-word feel rather than politeness.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お笑い番組: comedy show/program
- お笑い芸人: comedian
- お笑い草: laughingstock
- お笑いライブ: comedy live show
CULTURE: Japanese お笑い includes 漫才 (two-person stand-up with a ボケ/ツッコミ dynamic), コント (scripted comedy skits), and 落語 (traditional comic storytelling). Major comedy competitions like M-1グランプリ are nationally televised events.