笑
laugh; smile
At a glance · 笑
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
小篆从竹从夭，象竹枝摇曳如人笑，本义为喜而发声。会意。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
本义为喜悦出声。
Structure
会意字，从竹从夭，象欢悦之态。
At a glance
Pinyinxiào
Radical竹
Strokes10
UnicodeU+7B11
Character type会意
Theme动作
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
laugh; smile
To laugh or smile.
Français
rire; sourire
Rire ou sourire.
Español
reír; sonreír
Reír o sonreír.
العربية
يضحك؛ يبتسم
يضحك أو يبتسم.
Русский
смеяться; улыбаться
Смеяться или улыбаться.
Common words
- 笑xiàolaugh
- 笑话xiào huàjoke