笑 (xiào) - to laugh & to smile
笑 · xiào
to laugh;
to smile;
to ridicule;
to mock;
to find amusing.
to laughto smileto ridicule
Usage highlights
to laugh loudlyto smileto laugh atjokecomedylaughing stock
Usage & contexts
Examples
- She smiled happily (开心地笑).
- The joke made everyone laugh (笑话让大家笑).
- He laughed heartily (开怀大笑).
- Don't laugh at others' mistakes (不要笑别人的错误).
Collocations
- to laugh loudly(大笑)
- to smile(微笑)
- to laugh at(嘲笑)
- joke(笑话)
- comedy(喜剧)
- laughing stock(笑柄)
Idioms
- Laugh till one's sides split(笑破肚皮)
- Laughing and chatting cheerfully(谈笑风生)
- To laugh at the world(笑傲江湖)
- To laugh at someone's ignorance(笑掉大牙)
- Smiling face(笑容满面)
Cultural background
FAQ- In Chinese culture, laughter is often associated with happiness, health, and social harmony.
- The character 笑 depicts bamboo (竹) over heaven (天), suggesting something light and uplifting that makes one laugh.
- Laughter is considered beneficial for health in traditional Chinese medicine, helping to circulate qi.
- In Confucian tradition, appropriate laughter reflects proper social conduct and emotional control.