笑 — meaning in English: laugh

xiào · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for laugh

笑

xiào

演唱会

yǎnchàng huì

意识

yìshí

音乐

yīnyuè

矿井

kuàngjǐng

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informal very common

Usage

Native Mandarin speakers use the word 笑 (xiào) in a variety of contexts, such as during casual conversations among friends when sharing a funny story or joke. It's also commonly used in social media captions or comments to express amusement or joy, making it a versatile word in both spoken and written language.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 大笑 (dà xiào), which means 'laugh heartily' or 'burst out laughing.' While 笑 (xiào) can be used in general contexts to indicate laughing, 大笑 (dà xiào) conveys a much stronger, more exuberant form of laughter, making it suitable for particularly funny situations.

Culture

The character 笑 (xiào) is made up of the 'smile' radical and the character for 'to talk,' which reflects how laughter often accompanies conversation. In Chinese culture, laughter is associated with good fortune and a harmonious life, making it an essential part of social interactions during festivals and family gatherings.

FAQ

Q.How do you pronounce 笑 in Mandarin?

笑 is pronounced as 'xiào'. The 'xi' sounds like 'she' with an 'x' at the beginning, and 'ào' rhymes with 'how'. It's a fourth tone, which means you should say it with a falling tone.

Q.Can 笑 be used in formal settings?

Generally, 笑 is considered informal and is more commonly used in casual conversations. In formal contexts, you might express amusement differently or choose more sophisticated phrases.

Q.What are some common phrases that include 笑?

Some common phrases include 笑话 (xiàohuà), which means 'joke,' and 笑容 (xiàoróng), which means 'smile.' These phrases show the versatility of 笑 in expressing humor and positivity.

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Chinese (Mandarin) 2000