A joke is a short, humorous story or phrase intended to cause laughter.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A short story or sentence to make people laugh.
- Commonly used for entertainment and bonding.
- Can be found online, in media, and daily life.
Overview
笑话（xiàohuà）是汉语中一个非常常见的词语，指代能够引起人们发笑的语言或文字材料。它是一种普遍的沟通方式，用于缓解气氛、增进人际关系或仅仅是为了娱乐。笑话的形式多种多样，可以是简单的段子，也可以是包含情节的短故事，甚至可以是通过肢体语言或表情来传达。
作为名词，笑话通常用作句子的主语、宾语或表语。人们会说“讲笑话”、“听笑话”、“看笑话”、“写笑话”或“笑话很好笑”。它也可以用来形容某人“爱开玩笑”或“喜欢讲笑话”。
笑话在日常生活中随处可见，例如朋友聚会、家庭聚餐、工作休息时间、网络社交媒体以及各种娱乐场合。在这些场合，讲笑话是一种常见的互动方式，可以活跃气氛，拉近彼此的距离。有时，笑话也可能出现在书籍、杂志、电影或电视节目中，作为一种幽默元素。
与“笑话”相似的词语包括“段子”（duànzi）和“趣闻”（qùwén）。“段子”通常指更短、更精炼的幽默内容，尤其在网络上流行。而“趣闻”则侧重于有趣或新奇的事情，不一定以逗笑为主要目的，但也能带来轻松愉悦的感觉。相比之下，“笑话”是最通用、最直接的表示“joke”的词语。
Examples
他讲了一个关于程序员的笑话，大家都听懂了。
everydayHe told a joke about programmers, and everyone understood it.
在这次商务晚宴上，一位嘉宾分享了一个巧妙的笑话，缓和了现场的气氛。
formalAt this business dinner, a guest shared a clever joke, easing the atmosphere.
你听过那个关于熊猫的笑话吗？特别逗！
informalHave you heard that joke about the panda? It's hilarious!
研究表明，适度的笑话有助于缓解工作压力。
academicResearch shows that moderate jokes can help alleviate work stress.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
开个玩笑
to make a joke / to kid
笑话百出
full of jokes / endlessly humorous
一本正经地讲笑话
to tell a joke very seriously
Often Confused With
'段子' (duànzi) often refers to shorter, punchier humorous content, especially popular online. While a '笑话' can be a '段子', '段子' emphasizes brevity and often relies on internet memes or trending topics.
'趣事' (qùshì) means an interesting or amusing anecdote or event. It doesn't necessarily have a punchline or aim to make people laugh like a '笑话' does; it's more about sharing something noteworthy or entertaining.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '笑话' is very common and can be used in almost any informal or semi-formal context. When telling jokes, ensure they are appropriate for the audience and setting. Avoid jokes that might be considered offensive or insensitive, especially in professional or cross-cultural situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '笑话' with '玩笑' (wánxiào), which means 'joke' in the sense of teasing or fooling around. While related, '笑话' specifically refers to a narrative or phrase intended to be funny, whereas '玩笑' can also mean playful banter or jesting.
Tips
Understand the Punchline
Focus on the unexpected twist or humorous conclusion that makes the joke funny.
Practice Telling Jokes
Tell jokes to friends or family to improve your delivery and timing. Observe their reactions.
Avoid Offensive Jokes
Be mindful of your audience and avoid jokes that could be discriminatory, insensitive, or offensive.
Humor Varies Culturally
What is considered funny can differ significantly across cultures. Be aware of cultural nuances when sharing jokes.
Word Origin
The word '笑话' is a direct combination of '笑' (xiào), meaning 'to laugh', and '话' (huà), meaning 'word', 'speech', or 'talk'. It literally translates to 'laughing words' or 'talk that makes one laugh'.
Cultural Context
Sharing jokes is a fundamental way to build rapport and create a relaxed atmosphere in Chinese social interactions. The ability to tell a good joke is often appreciated, but cultural sensitivity is key, as humor can be subjective and context-dependent.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone '笑' (xiào - laugh) at a '话' (huà - word/speech). Together, they make a '笑话' – a funny story that makes you laugh.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions讲笑话通常说“讲笑话”或“说个笑话”。听笑话可以说“听笑话”或“听你讲个笑话”。
笑话是幽默的一种具体表现形式。幽默是一种更广泛的概念，指能引起人发笑或感到有趣的特质，而笑话则是承载这种幽默内容的一种载体。
在正式场合讲笑话需要谨慎。选择恰当的、不冒犯他人的笑话，并在合适的时机（如会议间隙或晚宴）可以活跃气氛，但过于随意或不合时宜的笑话可能会产生负面效果。
网络笑话通常更短、更新快，形式也更多样，如表情包、梗图等，语言风格更偏向口语化和网络流行语。传统笑话则可能更注重叙事性和语言的巧妙运用。
Test Yourself
他讲了一个关于____的笑话，大家都笑翻了。
空格处需要一个名词来指代笑话的内容。虽然其他选项也可以，但“工作”是常见的笑话主题。
以下哪个选项最贴切地描述了“笑话”？
笑话的核心目的是通过幽默来逗乐听众，因此选项B是最准确的描述。
请用“笑话”、“听”、“一个”、“很有趣”组成句子。
选项A的语序最自然，表达了“听一个笑话是很有趣的”这一含义。
Score: /3
Summary
A joke is a short, humorous story or phrase intended to cause laughter.
- A short story or sentence to make people laugh.
- Commonly used for entertainment and bonding.
- Can be found online, in media, and daily life.
Understand the Punchline
Focus on the unexpected twist or humorous conclusion that makes the joke funny.
Practice Telling Jokes
Tell jokes to friends or family to improve your delivery and timing. Observe their reactions.
Avoid Offensive Jokes
Be mindful of your audience and avoid jokes that could be discriminatory, insensitive, or offensive.
Humor Varies Culturally
What is considered funny can differ significantly across cultures. Be aware of cultural nuances when sharing jokes.
Examples
4 of 4他讲了一个关于程序员的笑话，大家都听懂了。
He told a joke about programmers, and everyone understood it.
在这次商务晚宴上，一位嘉宾分享了一个巧妙的笑话，缓和了现场的气氛。
At this business dinner, a guest shared a clever joke, easing the atmosphere.
你听过那个关于熊猫的笑话吗？特别逗！
Have you heard that joke about the panda? It's hilarious!
研究表明，适度的笑话有助于缓解工作压力。
Research shows that moderate jokes can help alleviate work stress.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More communication words
承认
A2to admit; to acknowledge
恐怕
B1I'm afraid that...; perhaps; probably. Used to express concern, uncertainty, or to soften a polite refusal.
同意
A1to agree
虽然...但是...
A2although...but...
公告
B1announcement
回答
A1to answer; to reply
接听
B2To answer (a phone call).
致歉
B2To express an apology formally. This is a critical term for IELTS letters of apology.
提问
A1To ask a question; to pose an inquiry.
广播
A2Broadcast.
