In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe someone who laughs or smiles only once in a while.
- Combines 'tamani' (occasionally) with 'warau' (laugh/smile).
- Perfect for describing serious, stoic, or 'cool' personalities.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who isn't a frequent laugher. It's used for people who are generally serious or quiet but will occasionally show a smile or a chuckle.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a serious boss
部長は厳しいですが、たまに笑います。
The manager is strict, but he occasionally laughs.
Talking about a cool friend
彼はクールだけど、たまに笑うよ。
He's cool, but he laughs occasionally.
Describing a grumpy cat
この猫はたまに笑うような顔をする。
This cat occasionally makes a face like it's laughing.
Cultural Background
Emotional restraint is often valued in professional settings. Smiling is often expected as a social lubricant.
Context is key
Use this to describe someone's personality, not just a single event.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe someone who laughs or smiles only once in a while.
- Combines 'tamani' (occasionally) with 'warau' (laugh/smile).
- Perfect for describing serious, stoic, or 'cool' personalities.
What It Means
Imagine that one friend. You know the one. They always look like they’re solving a complex math equation in their head. They aren’t mean. They just aren’t "bubbly." But then, you tell a really dumb pun. Suddenly, their shoulders shake. They let out a tiny sound. That’s たまに笑う. It’s the act of laughing, but with a low frequency setting. It’s not a habit. It’s an event. It captures those rare, precious moments when a serious person lets their guard down.
How To Use It
You just take the adverb たまに (occasionally) and stick it in front of the verb 笑う (to laugh). It’s like building with Legos. If you’re talking to a friend, keep it as たまに笑う. If you’re talking to your boss or a stranger, change it to たまに笑います. If you want to sound a bit more dramatic, you can say たまにしか笑わない, which means "they *only* laugh occasionally." It sounds a bit more mysterious that way. You can also use it in the past tense, たまに笑った, to talk about how someone used to be.
When To Use It
This is your go-to phrase for character descriptions. Use it when you’re talking about someone’s personality. It’s perfect for that "cool" colleague who finally cracked a smile at the year-end party. You can also use it for pets. You know how some dogs always look like they’re smiling? Well, some cats look like they’re judging your life choices. If that cat finally looks happy, you can say it たまに笑う. It’s also great for texting friends about a date. "He was serious, but he たまに笑う so it was okay!"
When NOT To Use It
Don’t use this if someone is currently rolling on the floor laughing. For that, you need 笑っている. たまに笑う describes a general tendency, not a specific moment in time. Also, avoid using it for someone who is actually very cheerful. If they laugh at everything, you should use よく笑う (laughs often) or いつもにこにこしている (always smiling). Using たまに for a cheerful person would make it sound like they’ve suddenly become very grumpy or depressed!
Cultural Background
In Japan, there’s a huge appreciation for the "silent type." Think of samurai or stoic anime heroes. There’s even a term called "gap moe." This is the cute feeling you get when someone acts in a way you didn't expect. A scary teacher who たまに笑う is the ultimate example of this. It makes the laughter feel valuable. In a culture that often prizes harmony and social masks, a rare, genuine laugh is seen as a glimpse into someone’s true heart. It’s like finding a rare Pokémon in the wild.
Common Variations
You’ll often hear たまに笑うとかわいい (They’re cute when they occasionally laugh). Another one is たまに笑う顔が好き (I like the face they make when they occasionally laugh). If you want to be more formal, you might say 時折、笑顔を見せます (Tokiori, egao o misemasu), which is a fancy way of saying they show a smile from time to time. But for daily life, たまに笑う is the bread and butter of your vocabulary. It's simple, effective, and very human.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, versatile phrase. Use the dictionary form `たまに笑う` with friends and the polite form `たまに笑います` in professional or formal settings. It describes a habit or personality trait, not a single ongoing action.
Context is key
Use this to describe someone's personality, not just a single event.
Examples
6部長は厳しいですが、たまに笑います。
The manager is strict, but he occasionally laughs.
Shows a human side to a formal figure using the polite 'masu' form.
彼はクールだけど、たまに笑うよ。
He's cool, but he laughs occasionally.
Highlights a charming trait in a casual conversation.
この猫はたまに笑うような顔をする。
This cat occasionally makes a face like it's laughing.
A humorous way to personify a pet's expression.
彼女、たまに笑うとすごく可愛いね。
When she occasionally laughs, she's really cute.
Expressing affection for a shy person's rare smile.
主人公は無口で、たまに笑うだけだ。
The protagonist is taciturn and only occasionally laughs.
A classic description for a stoic anime or book hero.
その子はクラスでたまに笑うようになりました。
That child has started to occasionally laugh in class.
Used to show positive progress in a child's social comfort.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb.
彼は____笑う。(He laughs occasionally.)
'たまに' means occasionally, which fits the context.
Which sentence describes someone who is not very expressive?
Choose the best sentence.
'たまに笑う' implies a reserved personality.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
2 exercises彼は____笑う。(He laughs occasionally.)
'たまに' means occasionally, which fits the context.
Choose the best sentence.
'たまに笑う' implies a reserved personality.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsYes, but it sounds like you are describing your own personality trait.
Related Phrases
よく笑う
contrastLaughs often
時々笑う
synonymLaughs sometimes
