What Does Kkkk Mean?

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Plus, other ways to text laughter from around the world

Co-authored by Aimee Payne, MFA Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: December 30, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Kkkk Meaning
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• Where is “kkkk” used?
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• Using “Kkkk” Over Text
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• Responding to “Kkkk”
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• How Different Languages Laugh Online
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• English Text Acronyms like “Kkkk”
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• Video

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Have you seen “kkkk” in a text message or somewhere on the internet and wondered what it meant? If so, you’ve come to the right place! “Kkkk” is a way some non-English speakers express laughter when typing. It’s like how English speakers type “hahaha” or “lol.” This article covers the meaning of “kkkk,” how to use it, and many other abbreviations to help you share your laughter over text.

What is the meaning of kkkk?

Kkkk is a way to say you’re laughing in a text or on social media. Brazilian Portuguese-speaking people often use it as an abbreviation of “quá quá quá quá,” which is similar to “hahahaha” in English.

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Section 1 of 6:

Kkkk Meaning

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1. 
   Kkkk means someone is typing that they’re laughing, similar to “lol.” In Brazilian Portuguese, “kkkk” is short for the laughing sound "quá quá quá quá" and is pronounced “kakakaka.” The abbreviation has at least 2 “K”s, with more added to show the person is laughing for a longer time.

   • People in the United States should avoid using 3 “K”s in a row because that abbreviation is strongly associated with the Ku Klux Klan.
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Section 2 of 6:

Where is “kkkk” used?

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1. 
   1
   Brazilian Portuguese speakers use “kkkk” to text or comment on social media. The abbreviation started with Brazilian Portuguese speakers and spread to European Portuguese speakers. It’s meant to represent the sound of laughter.

   • Many feel “kkkk” is not meant to be said out loud in Portuguese and would never be used as laughter in the real world.
   • However, some say they might read it out loud from a text as “kakakaka.”
2. 
   2
   Korean speakers may text “kkkk” when using the English alphabet. “Kkkk” is written as ㅋㅋㅋㅋ in Hangul, the Korean alphabet. ㅋ is the Korean equivalent of the letter “K” and represents the sound of a snicker.

   • There’s some thought that “kkkk” is pronounced “kekekeke” or “keukeukeukeu” in Korean.
   • The Zulu, Xhosa, Shona, Oromo, and other languages may also use “kkkk” to express laughter.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Use “Kkkk” in a Chat

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1. 
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   Reply “kkkk” to a funny text or social media post. “Kkkk” stands for the sound of laughter, so use it when a friendsends you a text or posts a funny meme, silly joke, or goofy picture. It’s a fresh way to show appreciation for their comedic chops. Tack on more k’s for funnier texts. For example:

   • Them: Sends you a video of a cat missing a jump and falling off the bed.
     You: kkkk
   • Them: Sends you the Darth Kermit meme
     You: kkkkkkk
2. 
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   Use “kkkk” as a sarcastic reply to an unfunny text or post. Be careful, though. It’s sometimes hard to tell if someone is being sarcastic, especially over text. Use an emoji to make your sarcastic tone perfectly clear. There’s no official sarcasm emoji, but the eye roll🙄, upside-down face🙃, smirking face😏, and expressionless face 😑 tell the other person your comment or text isn’t serious. For example:

   • Them: What do you call a pony with a cough? A little hoarse.
     You: kkkk 🙄
   • Them:What did the shark say when he ate the clownfish? This tastes a little funny.
     You: kkkk 😏
   • Make sure you hone your sarcasm skills, or you may come off as passive-aggressive, rude, or condescending. Even if you think you’re being obviously sarcastic, you might confuse the other person.
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Section 4 of 6:

Responding to “Kkkk”

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1. 
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   Continue the same conversation you were having before the message. When someone replies to something you texted or posted with “kkkk,” it doesn’t really need a response. Just enjoy the fact that they appreciate your humor and continue the conversation. Treat it like they sent you a “lol” or “hahaha.” For example:

   • You: And then my dog stepped on my foot, and I tripped over them like I was starring in some cheesy comedy.
     Them: kkkk
     You: I ripped my pants and everything.
2. 
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   Make a joke about their “kkkk” response. When the other person sends a “kkkk” about a story or joke you shared, playfully call out their response just like you would if they sent a “lol.” This is especially useful if you aren’t sure whether they’re being sarcastic or not. Do they really think you’re a comedy genius, or were they just laughing at you?

   • For example, say something like, “I’m so glad someone thinks I’m funny!” or “I probably deserve my own comedy special. Amirite? lol.”
   • If they tease you back, their “kkkk” was likely sincere and not sarcastic.
3. 
   3
   Reply with another text abbreviation for laughter. Sharing laughter is always a good response. It’s also perfect if you’re not sure what to say or don’t have the time to reply with anything more. Plus, it’s a friendly way to end the conversation

   • Respond with a 😂 or 🤣 emoji. Be aware these emojis aren’t a part of Gen Z slang, so they might think you’re cringe.
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Section 5 of 6:

How Different Languages Laugh Online

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1. 
   ”Kkkk” isn’t the only way to write laughter in another language. People who speak different languages sometimes use English abbreviations for laughter, but they often develop their own unique variations. Many are simply the sound of laughter translated into words, but others are amusing “in-jokes” that may not translate as directly.

   • Rsrsrs: This is a repeated abbreviation of the Brazilian Portuguese word for laughter, “riso.”
   • H6h6h6: This is an ironic laugh written in Estonian, where the number 6 is pronounced “oh.”
   • Mdr: This is an acronym for the French phrase “mort de rire,” meaning “dead from laughter.”
   • 笑: The first part of the Japanese word for “laughter,” which is 笑い or “warau.” Japanese speakers also use “www” to represent of the “w” sound in “warau.”
   • 555: 5 is pronounced “ha” in Lao and Thai, making this “hahaha.”
   • Hhh: This is an abbreviation of the Romanized version of 哈哈哈 (“hahaha”) in Mandarin.
   • Lwkm: This is short for “laugh wan kill me” in Nigerian Pidgin. “Lwkmd” takes “lwkm” a step further to “laugh wan kill me die.”
   • ))): In some Slavic languages, one parenthesis is a smile, so ))) represents laughter.
   • Jajaja: In Spanish and Guaraní, the letter “j” is pronounced the same as “h” in English, making this “hahaha.”
   • Ohlawdoi: This means “oh lord” in Trinidadian Creole.

Section 6 of 6:

How English Speakers Express Laughter in Text

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1. 
   English speakers use several different phrases to represent laughter. Whether you’re on social media or texting, there are plenty of ways for you to express laughter in a way English speakers will understand.

   • Hahaha & Hehehe: “Hahaha” and “hehehe” are how English speakers interpret the sound of laughter.
   • Ijbol: “Ijbol” stands for “I just burst out laughing.”
   • Lmao & Lmfao: “Lmao” means “laughing my a** off,” and “lmfao” means “laughing my f*cking a** off.”
   • Lol: Short for “laugh out loud,” it’s the classic way to laugh online.
   • Rofl: “Rofl” stands for “rolling on the floor laughing.” It’s sometimes combined with “lol” to “roflol” if something is even funnier than “rofl.”
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