あまり笑う

Here is the most important rule. In Japanese, the word amari (not much) is like a magnet. It almost always pulls a negative verb toward it. So, even though the phrase is listed as amari warau, you will almost always say amari warawanai (casual) or amari waraimasen (formal). You place the person you are talking about at the start. For example, Tanaka-san wa amari waraimasen. This means "Mr. Tanaka doesn't laugh much." It’s simple, clean, and very effective for character descriptions. If you use it for yourself, it makes you sound cool and mysterious.

Use this when you are describing people. It’s perfect for a first date when you’re talking about your family. "My dad is serious and amari waraimasen." You can also use it at work. If a new boss seems scary, you might whisper to a colleague that they amari warawanai. It’s also great for reviews. If you watched a comedy show that was a total flop, you’d say you amari warawanakatta (didn't laugh much). It’s a polite way to say something wasn't funny without being mean.

Do not use this if someone is actually angry or sad. If your friend is crying, saying they amari warawanai is a bit of an understatement! Also, avoid using it if someone is laughing a little bit right now. This phrase is usually about a general habit or a total reaction. If someone is laughing, but just quietly, you’d use different words. Finally, don't forget the negative ending. Saying amari warau sounds like you started a sentence and just gave up halfway through.

In Japan, there is a concept called kuuki wo yomu or "reading the air." Sometimes, not laughing is seen as a sign of being composed and professional. In traditional arts like Noh or tea ceremonies, a stoic face is the standard. Because of this, saying someone amari warawanai isn't always a criticism. It can actually be a compliment for someone who is very focused or "cool." There is even a term "cool-beauty" (kuuru byuuti) for women who are beautiful but rarely show emotion.

If you want to be more intense, you can swap amari for zenzen. Zenzen warawanai means "doesn't laugh at all." If you want to be more polite, use amari o-warai ni narimasen. That’s the super-formal version you might use for a CEO. If you want to sound more casual or a bit cute, you can say amari warawanai n da yo ne. Adding that n da yo ne at the end makes it sound like you're sharing a little secret about someone's personality.