けらけら

けらけら
adverb, onomatopoeia
cackling, giggling loudly
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(わら)っている。
The children are giggling away.
けらけらと(こえ)()げて(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(わら)うのはやめなさい。
Stop giggling during class.

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

COMPARISON WITH OTHER LAUGHTER WORDS:

  • けらけら: high-pitched, cackling, somewhat unrestrained
  • くすくす: quiet giggling, suppressed laughter
  • げらげら: loud belly laughing, guffawing
  • にこにこ: smiling (not audible laughter)
  • にやにや: smirking, grinning

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.

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