けらけら

けらけら
adverb, onomatopoeia
cackling, giggling loudly
onomatopoeia
1. cackling, giggling loudly, laughing in a high-pitched way
An onomatopoeia describing a light, high-pitched, and often somewhat unrestrained laugh. Can carry a slightly frivolous or silly nuance.
子供(こども)たちがけらけら笑(わら)っている。
The children are giggling away.
けらけらと声(こえ)を上(あ)げて笑(わら)った。
She burst out laughing with a cackle.
授業中(じゅぎょうちゅう)にけらけら笑(わら)うのはやめなさい。
Stop giggling during class.

Pattern: けらけら笑(わら)う is the standard collocation.

Comparison with other laughter words

Usage: Often used to describe children's carefree laughter or a lighthearted, somewhat silly way of laughing. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance when describing adults, implying the laughter is inappropriate or too loud for the situation.

Related Words

Compare: くすくす (quiet giggling)
Compare: げらげら (loud guffawing)
Compare: にこにこ (smiling)
Compare: にやにや (smirking, grinning)

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Common Onomatopoeia and Mimetic Words
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Added 2026.3.11 19:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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