Understanding "大笑" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 大笑
• Pinyin: dà xiào
• Literal Meaning: "Big laugh" (大 = big, 笑 = laugh)
• Primary Meaning: To laugh heartily or loudly; to burst into laughter.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"大笑" is used to describe a loud, unrestrained laugh, often expressing great joy, amusement, or even mockery. It emphasizes the intensity of the laughter, unlike softer terms like "微笑" (smile) or "轻笑" (chuckle). It can be used in both positive (e.g., hearing a funny joke) and negative contexts (e.g., laughing at someone).

Character Breakdown

• 大 (dà): Means "big" or "large," indicating the scale or intensity of the action.
• 笑 (xiào): Means "laugh" or "smile," representing the action itself.

Together, the characters literally mean "big laugh," emphasizing a loud or hearty laugh.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他听到笑话后大笑起来。
   Pinyin: Tā tīng dào xiàohuà hòu dà xiào qǐlái.
   English: He burst into laughter after hearing the joke.

2. Chinese: 孩子们在公园里大笑玩耍。
   Pinyin: Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ dà xiào wánshuǎ.
   English: The children laughed heartily while playing in the park.

3. Chinese: 她忍不住大笑，因为那部电影太搞笑了。
   Pinyin: Tā rěn bù zhù dà xiào, yīnwèi nà bù diànyǐng tài gǎoxiào le.
   English: She couldn’t help but laugh out loud because the movie was so hilarious.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, laughter (笑) is highly valued as a sign of joy and harmony. However, context matters—laughing too loudly in formal settings may be seen as impolite. "大笑" often appears in comedies, storytelling, and casual conversations among friends.

Conclusion

"大笑" (dà xiào) is a vivid term for hearty laughter, combining "big" (大) and "laugh" (笑). Use it to describe loud, joyful laughter, but be mindful of the setting to avoid rudeness. Practice with the examples to master its usage!