Proverb / Kotowaza
抱腹絶倒
To laugh so hard that one holds their stomach and rolls around in fits of laughter.
Holding one's belly and falling over
Quick Answer
To laugh so hard that one holds their stomach and rolls around in fits of laughter.
- Literal Image
- Holding one's belly and falling over
- Closest Equivalent
- Roll on the floor laughing.
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a situation or piece of entertainment (like a movie or comedy act) that is extremely funny and causes people to laugh uncontrollably.
Meaning
This expression describes a state of uncontrollable laughter where a person is unable to remain upright. It literally refers to clutching one's abdomen and collapsing because something is so incredibly funny. It can be used to describe a hilarious performance, story, or situation.
Literal Image
Holding one's belly and falling over
Equivalent Proverbs
Roll on the floor laughing.
Matches the image of falling over or rolling while laughing.
How to Use It
Used to describe a situation or piece of entertainment (like a movie or comedy act) that is extremely funny and causes people to laugh uncontrollably.
Tone
Informal and descriptive; can be used in reviews of comedies or when sharing humorous anecdotes.
Examples
友人の話があまりにも面白く、抱腹絶倒してしまった。
My friend's story was so funny that I laughed uncontrollably.
抱腹絶倒の映画で、劇場は笑いの渦に包まれた。
It was a hilarious movie that left the entire theater in fits of laughter.
友人のものまねが上手すぎて、見ている全員が捧腹絶倒した。
My friend's impressions were so good that everyone watching was rolling on the floor laughing.
そのコメディ映画は捧腹絶倒の連続で、映画館中に笑い声が響き渡った。
That comedy movie was a non-stop riot, with laughter echoing throughout the cinema.
落語家の話芸に会場全体が捧腹絶倒し、涙を流して笑っていた。
The storyteller's performance was so funny that the whole audience was doubled over in laughter, with tears in their eyes.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses formal kanji (抱, 絶, 倒) and is a specific four-character idiom (yojijukugo) that is not used in basic daily conversation.
抱腹
ほうふく / hofuku
holding one's belly
絶倒
ぜっとう / zetto
falling down; collapsing
腹
はら / hara
stomach; belly
Usage Profile
Usage note: Ensure the context is appropriate for extreme laughter; avoid using it for mild amusement.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse the kanji 抱 (to hold) with other similar-looking characters like 胞.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is derived from the Chinese classic 'Hanshu' (History of the Former Han), specifically in the 'Biography of Li Guang and Su Jian.' It is based on a story where Su Wu, who was a prisoner of the Xiongnu, heard a humorous account from a Xiongnu messenger. The term describes the physical act of laughter so intense that one must clutch their belly ('hofuku') and ultimately collapses or falls over ('zetto').
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.