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A2 verb #2,500 most common 7 min read

大笑

daxiao
At the A1 level, you just need to know that 大笑 (dàxiào) means 'to laugh loudly.' It is made of two simple characters: 大 (big) and 笑 (laugh/smile). You can use it in very simple sentences like '我大笑' (I laugh loudly) or '他大笑了' (He laughed). It is a very useful word to express that you are happy. Usually, at this level, you might just use '笑' (xiào), but adding '大' makes it more specific and shows you are really enjoying something. Think of it as the opposite of being sad or crying. When you see a funny picture or a cute animal, you might 大笑.
At the A2 level, you should start using 大笑 with simple resultative or directional complements. The most common one is 大笑起来 (dàxiào qǐlái), which means 'to start laughing loudly.' You can also use it with '因为' (because) to explain why someone is laughing. For example: '因为这个笑话很搞笑，所以我们都大笑了。' (Because this joke is funny, we all laughed loudly.) You should also be able to distinguish 大笑 from 微笑 (smile). At this stage, you are building your ability to describe emotions and reactions in daily life, such as at a party or with friends.
At the B1 level, you should use 大笑 to add color to your storytelling. Instead of just saying someone was happy, you can describe their physical reaction: '他听了之后，忍不住放声大笑。' (After hearing it, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.) You should also understand the use of the particle '得' to describe the degree of laughter, such as '大笑得流出了眼泪' (laughed so hard that tears came out). At this level, you are expected to understand the word in various social contexts and recognize it in simple literature or news stories about happy events.
At the B2 level, you should be familiar with common four-character idioms (chengyu) that include 大笑 or are related to it, such as 捧腹大笑 (pěngfù-dàxiào - to laugh holding one's belly). You should also understand the nuances of 大笑 in different registers. For instance, in a formal speech, 大笑 might be described as '开怀大笑' (laughing heartily). You should also be able to use the word to describe character traits in a more sophisticated way, discussing how a character's tendency to 大笑 reflects their personality (e.g., being '豪爽' or '不拘小节').
At the C1 level, you should understand the deeper cultural and philosophical implications of 大笑 in Chinese literature. This includes the 'heroic laugh' found in classical novels like Romance of the Three Kingdoms or the poetry of Li Bai. You should be able to analyze how 大笑 can be used ironically or as a form of social commentary (e.g., '仰天大笑' as a sign of tragic defiance). Your usage should be precise, choosing between 大笑, 狂笑, 哄堂大笑, or 哑然失笑 based on the exact atmosphere and social dynamic you wish to convey.
At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of the word's historical evolution and its use in the most complex literary contexts. You can discuss the phonetic symbolism of the character 笑 and how 大笑 has been portrayed in Chinese cinema and traditional opera (where different types of laughter have specific vocal techniques). You should be able to use the term in high-level academic writing or literary criticism to describe themes of joy, absurdity, or existentialism. You understand that 大笑 is not just an action, but a versatile rhetorical tool that can signify everything from pure enlightenment to total despair.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

大笑 in 30 Seconds

  • 大笑 (dàxiào) means to laugh loudly and is a common way to express intense joy or amusement in Chinese.
  • It is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object; you cannot '大笑' someone else.
  • Commonly paired with complements like '起来' (to start) or '得' (to describe the result/degree of laughter).
  • In Chinese culture, it can represent a heroic, carefree, or straightforward personality, but can be rude in quiet settings.

The term 大笑 (dàxiào) is a compound verb in Mandarin Chinese that literally translates to "big laugh." It represents the act of laughing loudly, heartily, or unrestrainedly. Unlike a subtle smile (微笑 wēixiào) or a quiet chuckle, 大笑 implies a physical and audible release of joy, amusement, or sometimes even derision.

Linguistic Composition
The first character 大 (dà) signifies greatness, size, or intensity. The second character 笑 (xiào) is the general term for laughing or smiling. Together, they form an intensive verb that describes the peak of amusement.

“他听完那个笑话后忍不住大笑起来，声音传遍了整个走廊。” (After hearing that joke, he couldn't help but laugh loudly, his voice echoing through the entire hallway.)

— Example of spontaneous laughter

When we analyze the psychological aspect of 大笑, it is often associated with the concept of "unmasking." In social settings, a polite smile might be a facade, but a dàxiào is usually perceived as a genuine emotional reaction. It is the sound of barriers breaking down between people. In literature, authors use this word to depict characters who are heroic, carefree, or perhaps slightly mad.

Physical Manifestation
It involves the opening of the mouth (张口), the vibration of the vocal cords, and often physical movements like leaning back or slapping one's thigh (拍腿).

“仰天大笑出门去，我辈岂是蓬蒿人。” (Laughing loudly to the heavens, I walk out the door; how could people like us be mere commoners?)

— Li Bai, Tang Dynasty Poet

The word also carries different weights depending on the context. In a comedy club, it is the goal of the performer. In a library, it is a disturbance. In a business meeting, it might be a sign of extreme confidence or a tactic to ease tension. Understanding 大笑 requires recognizing that it is not just a sound, but a social signal of high-intensity positive affect.

Synonym Contrast
Compared to 狂笑 (kuángxiào - wild laughter), 大笑 is more common and less aggressive. Compared to 偷笑 (tōuxiào - snickering), it is completely transparent and public.

Using 大笑 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a verb and its common collocations. In Mandarin, verbs of action like 大笑 are frequently paired with directional or resultative complements to provide more detail about the onset or duration of the laughter.

1. The "V + 起来" Construction

The most common way to use 大笑 is with the complement 起来 (qǐlái), which indicates the start and continuation of an action. This is used when someone suddenly bursts into laughter.

“听了这个笑话，全班同学都大笑起来。” (After hearing the joke, the whole class started laughing loudly.)

2. Adverbial Modifiers

To describe how someone is laughing, you can use adverbs before the verb. Common adverbs include 忍不住 (rěnbuzhù - cannot help but), 开心地 (kāixīn de - happily), or 放声 (fàngshēng - giving vent to one's voice).

  • 忍不住大笑: Used when something is so funny you can't control yourself.
  • 放声大笑: Used to emphasize the volume and lack of restraint.

3. The "V + 得" Construction

When you want to describe the extent or result of the laughter, use the structural particle 得 (de). This is often followed by phrases like "belly ached" or "tears came out."

“他大笑得肚子都疼了。” (He laughed so hard his stomach hurt.)

4. Social Contexts

In writing, 大笑 is often used to characterize a person's temperament. A character who frequently 大笑 is usually portrayed as heroic (豪迈), straightforward (豪爽), or simple-minded (憨厚). In modern digital communication, while people use "哈哈哈," in formal writing or storytelling, 大笑 is the standard descriptive term.

The sound and mention of 大笑 are ubiquitous in Chinese life, appearing in various registers from ancient poetry to modern variety shows.

1. Variety Shows and Comedy (综艺与喜剧)

In Chinese variety shows like "Keep Running" or stand-up comedy specials, the term is used by hosts to describe the audience's reaction. You will often see subtitles like [全场大笑] (The whole audience laughs loudly) across the screen.

2. Literature and Wuxia Novels (文学与武侠小说)

In Wuxia (martial arts) novels by authors like Jin Yong, 大笑 is a key character trait. Heroes often 仰天大笑 (laugh loudly to the sky) to show their defiance of death or their carefree nature. It signifies a "Jianghu" (martial world) spirit of freedom.

“令狐冲大笑三声，拔剑而起。” (Linghu Chong laughed loudly three times, drew his sword, and rose.)

3. Daily Conversations (日常对话)

While people don't often say "I am big laughing" while they are doing it, they use the term to recount events. "昨天我们聊到半夜，一直在大笑。" (We talked until midnight yesterday and were laughing loudly the whole time.) It serves as a vivid descriptor of a good time.

4. News and Media (新闻与媒体)

In human-interest stories, 大笑 is used to describe the joy of people overcoming hardship. A headline might read: "看到丰收的庄稼，老农大笑了。" (Seeing the bountiful harvest, the old farmer laughed heartily.)

Even though 大笑 seems simple, learners often make specific errors regarding its transitivity, intensity, and social appropriateness.

Mistake 1: Using it as a Transitive Verb
Learners often try to say “他大笑我” (He big laughed me) to mean "He laughed at me." This is incorrect. 大笑 is an intransitive action. To say "laugh at," use “嘲笑” (cháoxiào) or “笑话” (xiàohua).
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Smiling' (微笑)
In some languages, the word for laugh and smile might be similar. In Chinese, 大笑 is specifically loud and open-mouthed. If you describe a polite receptionist as 大笑, it sounds like they are being unprofessional or hysterical. Use “微笑” (wēixiào) for polite smiles.

Incorrect: “他在图书馆里大笑。” (He laughed loudly in the library.)
Context: Unless he is being rude, this is usually a social error in China, as libraries are strictly quiet zones.

Mistake 3: Overusing it for 'Funny'
Learners sometimes say “这个电影很大笑” (This movie is very big laugh). 大笑 is a verb, not an adjective. To say something is funny, use “搞笑” (gǎoxiào) or “滑稽” (huájī).

Chinese has a rich vocabulary for different types of laughter. Understanding the nuances between 大笑 and its synonyms will greatly improve your descriptive ability.

1. 微笑 (wēixiào)
A smile. It is quiet, subtle, and often used in formal or polite contexts. It involves the corners of the mouth turning up but no sound.
2. 狂笑 (kuángxiào)
Wild, frantic laughter. This is more intense than 大笑 and often implies that the person has lost control or is acting "crazy" (狂). Often used for villains or people in extreme shock.
3. 嘲笑 (cháoxiào)
To mock or ridicule. This is a transitive verb. You 嘲笑 someone's mistakes. It has a negative, hurtful connotation.
4. 偷笑 (tōuxiào)
To snicker or laugh secretly. Literally "steal a laugh." Used when you find something funny but shouldn't be laughing, or you know a secret.

The Laughter Spectrum:

  • 微笑 (Smile) → Low Intensity, Polite
  • 大笑 (Loud Laugh) → High Intensity, Genuine
  • 狂笑 (Wild Laugh) → Extreme Intensity, Uncontrolled
5. 苦笑 (kǔxiào)
A bitter smile. Used when someone is in a difficult or ironic situation and laughs to hide their pain or acknowledge the absurdity.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Informal

""

Slang

""

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

我喜欢大笑。

I like to laugh loudly.

Subject + Verb

2

他大笑了。

He laughed loudly.

Verb + 了 (completed action)

3

我们一起大笑。

We laugh loudly together.

Adverb (一起) + Verb

4

不要大笑。

Don't laugh loudly.

Negative command (不要)

5

猫在大笑吗？

Is the cat laughing loudly?

Question with 吗

6

妹妹在大笑。

Little sister is laughing loudly.

Progressive action

7

那个大笑的人是谁？

Who is that person laughing loudly?

Attributive clause with 的

8

老师也大笑了。

The teacher also laughed loudly.

Adverb (也) + Verb

1

听到笑话，他大笑起来。

Hearing the joke, he started laughing loudly.

V + 起来 (onset of action)

2

大家都在大笑，很开心。

Everyone is laughing loudly, very happy.

Continuous state

3

你为什么大笑？

Why are you laughing loudly?

Interrogative (为什么)

4

电影太搞笑了，我一直在大笑。

The movie was too funny, I kept laughing loudly.

一直在 (continually)

5

他大笑的时候，样子很可爱。

When he laughs loudly, he looks cute.

...的时候 (when...)

6

请不要在教室里大笑。

Please do not laugh loudly in the classroom.

Polite request + Location

7

我看到他大笑了，他一定很高兴。

I saw him laughing loudly, he must be very happy.

Inference (一定)

8

我们大笑着跑出了房间。

We ran out of the room laughing loudly.

V1着 + V2 (simultaneous actions)

1

他大笑得眼泪都掉下来了。

He laughed so hard that tears fell down.

V + 得 + Resultative clause

2

面对困难，他依然能放声大笑。

Facing difficulties, he can still laugh out loud.

Concessive clause (依然)

3

全场观众都被他的表演逗得大笑。

The whole audience was made to laugh loudly by his performance.

Passive-like construction with 逗得

4

我忍不住大笑，因为那太意外了。

I couldn't help but laugh loudly because it was so unexpected.

忍不住 (cannot help but)

5

他那爽朗的大笑声很有感染力。

His hearty loud laughter is very infectious.

Noun phrase (大笑声)

6

听到这个好消息，全家人都大笑庆祝。

Hearing this good news, the whole family laughed loudly to celebrate.

Purpose clause

7

他并没有生气，反而大笑了起来。

He wasn't angry; instead, he started laughing loudly.

反而 (on the contrary)

8

你大笑的样子让我想起了我父亲。

The way you laugh loudly reminds me of my father.

让 (causative)

1

大家听了他的奇遇，无不捧腹大笑。

Everyone who heard of his adventure couldn't help but roar with laughter.

Double negative (无不) for emphasis

2

他开怀大笑，所有的烦恼都烟消云散了。

He laughed heartily, and all his worries vanished into thin air.

Idiom (烟消云散)

3

那场喜剧让观众们数次大笑不止。

That comedy made the audience laugh loudly and incessantly several times.

不止 (without stopping)

4

他这种不合时宜的大笑让人感到尴尬。

His inappropriate loud laughter made people feel embarrassed.

Adjective (不合时宜)

5

老友重逢，两人在街头大笑相拥。

Old friends reunited, the two laughed loudly and embraced on the street.

Coordinated verbs

6

他试图掩饰尴尬，却反而大笑得更厉害了。

He tried to hide his embarrassment, but instead laughed even more loudly.

更厉害 (more intensely)

7

看到对手的失误，他不禁发出一阵冷冷的大笑。

Seeing his opponent's mistake, he couldn't help but let out a cold, loud laugh.

发出一阵 (let out a burst of)

8

这种幽默感总能让他在困境中大笑。

This sense of humor always allows him to laugh loudly even in dire straits.

Modal verb (能)

1

他仰天大笑，仿佛在嘲弄命运的不公。

He laughed loudly to the heavens, as if mocking the injustice of fate.

仰天 (to the sky) + 大笑

2

这篇文章以一个荒诞的大笑作为结尾，发人深省。

The article ends with an absurd loud laugh, which is thought-provoking.

发人深省 (thought-provoking)

3

在那个严肃的场合，他的大笑显得格外刺耳。

In that serious occasion, his loud laughter sounded particularly jarring.

格外 (exceptionally) + 刺耳 (jarring)

4

他那种看透世事的豁达大笑，令人心生敬佩。

His open-minded loud laughter, which seemed to see through the world, inspired admiration.

看透世事 (seeing through the world)

5

哄堂大笑之后，会议室又陷入了死一般的沉寂。

After a burst of general laughter, the meeting room fell into a deathly silence again.

哄堂大笑 (the whole room bursting into laughter)

6

他大笑数声，拂袖而去，留下了一脸惊愕的众人。

He laughed loudly a few times, flicked his sleeves and left, leaving everyone stunned.

拂袖而去 (leave in a huff/with a flourish)

7

这种大笑背后隐藏着难以言说的悲凉。

Behind this loud laughter hides an unspeakable desolation.

难以言说 (hard to describe)

8

他以一种近乎狂乱的大笑宣泄着内心的压力。

He vented his internal pressure with a laugh that was almost frantic.

近乎 (close to/bordering on)

1

苏格拉底式的讽刺往往隐藏在看似无邪的大笑之中。

Socratic irony is often hidden within a seemingly innocent loud laugh.

看似 (seemingly)

2

庄子丧妻而鼓盆大笑，体现了其超脱生死的哲学观。

Zhuangzi drummed on a basin and laughed loudly upon his wife's death, reflecting his philosophy of transcending life and death.

Historical allusion

3

文学作品中的大笑，往往是角色自我救赎的一种形式。

Laughter in literary works is often a form of self-redemption for characters.

Generic statement

4

那种充满张力的大笑，在戏剧冲突中起到了推波助澜的作用。

That tension-filled loud laughter played a role in fueling the dramatic conflict.

推波助澜 (adding fuel to the fire)

5

他那肆无忌惮的大笑，是对腐朽规则最强有力的蔑视。

His unbridled loud laughter is the most powerful contempt for decadent rules.

肆无忌惮 (unbridled/brazen)

6

作者巧妙地利用大笑来解构那些虚伪的道德教条。

The author skillfully uses loud laughter to deconstruct those hypocritical moral dogmas.

解构 (deconstruct)

7

在这部电影中，大笑不仅是情绪的表达，更是权力的博弈。

In this movie, loud laughter is not just an expression of emotion, but a game of power.

不仅...更是... (not only... but even more...)

8

他以一种近乎神谕的大笑，宣告了一个旧时代的终结。

With an almost oracular loud laugh, he announced the end of an old era.

神谕 (oracle)

Common Collocations

忍不住大笑
放声大笑
仰天大笑
开怀大笑
突然大笑
尴尬地大笑
疯狂地大笑
开心地大笑
大笑不止
大笑三声

Common Phrases

哈哈大笑

大笑起来

大笑一场

大笑而过

引人大笑

令人大笑

相视大笑

放声大笑

纵情大笑

一阵大笑

Often Confused With

大笑 vs 嘲笑

大笑 vs 微笑

大笑 vs 搞笑

Idioms & Expressions

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

大笑 vs

大笑 vs

大笑 vs

大笑 vs

大笑 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

modern usage

Often replaced by '哈哈哈' in texts.

literary flair

Use '仰天大笑' for dramatic effect.

social appropriateness

Generally positive, but context-dependent.

Common Mistakes
  • Using '大笑' as an adjective (e.g., '这个电影很大笑').
  • Using '大笑' to mean 'laugh at someone' (e.g., '他在大笑我').
  • Confusing '大笑' with '微笑' in formal situations.
  • Forgetting the complement '起来' when describing the start of laughter.
  • Mispronouncing the tones as 1st or 2nd tones.

Tips

Use with Complements

Always try to pair '大笑' with '起来' or '得' to sound more like a native speaker. For example, '他大笑得停不下来' (He laughed so hard he couldn't stop). This adds depth to your sentences.

Mind the Volume

In China, public spaces like buses or subways are generally quiet. While '大笑' is great with friends, keep the volume down in public to avoid glares. It's a matter of 'public virtue' (公德心).

Learn the Spectrum

Don't just learn '大笑'. Learn '微笑' (smile), '冷笑' (sneer), and '偷笑' (snicker) at the same time. This helps you categorize different types of '笑' in your brain.

Show, Don't Tell

Instead of saying 'He was happy,' write '他大笑起来'. This 'shows' the emotion through action, which is a hallmark of good writing in Chinese. It makes your stories more vivid.

Tone Accuracy

Both characters are 4th tone (falling). Make sure to pronounce them sharply. If you say them with the wrong tones, it might sound like '搭销' (dāxiāo - to sell together), which is confusing.

Infectious Joy

A well-timed '大笑' can break the ice in a social gathering. Chinese people value '幽默感' (sense of humor). Don't be afraid to laugh heartily when something is genuinely funny.

Idiom Power

Memorize '捧腹大笑'. It is used constantly in books, movies, and conversations. It immediately elevates your Chinese level from 'basic' to 'intermediate'.

Identify the Sound

In Chinese TV dramas, listen for the phrase '哈哈大笑'. It's a very common onomatopoeic way to describe the action. It helps you recognize the word in natural speech.

Character Breakdown

Remember '大' is a person with arms wide. This person is so happy they are laughing (笑). This visual helps you remember the meaning of the compound.

Don't be Transitive

Never say '我大笑你'. This is the most common mistake. Always use '嘲笑' if there is a target for the laughter. '大笑' is a solo or group activity without an object.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

When something is BIG (大) fun, you give a BIG laugh (大笑).

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Historically, women were expected to cover their mouths when laughing, but this is rare in modern urban China.

In formal business meetings or funerals, 大笑 is strictly avoided.

The 'heroic laugh' is a staple of Wuxia novels, signifying a character's mastery over their fears.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你最后一次大笑是什么时候？ (When was the last time you laughed loudly?)"

"什么样的小品能让你大笑？ (What kind of comedy sketches make you laugh?)"

"你觉得在图书馆大笑没礼貌吗？ (Do you think it's rude to laugh loudly in a library?)"

"你朋友中谁最爱大笑？ (Who among your friends laughs the most?)"

"你大笑的时候会流眼泪吗？ (Do you cry when you laugh loudly?)"

Journal Prompts

写一件让你忍不住大笑的事情。 (Write about something that made you unable to help laughing loudly.)

描述一个你认识的爱大笑的人。 (Describe someone you know who loves to laugh loudly.)

大笑对你的心情有什么影响？ (How does laughing loudly affect your mood?)

你更喜欢大笑还是微笑？为什么？ (Do you prefer laughing loudly or smiling? Why?)

在你的文化里，大笑是不礼貌的吗？ (In your culture, is laughing loudly considered impolite?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '大笑' is a verb meaning the action of laughing. To say a joke is funny, use '搞笑' (gǎoxiào) or '有趣' (yǒuqù). You would say '这个笑话让我大笑' (This joke made me laugh loudly).

It depends on the situation. In casual settings with friends, it is very common and shows you are having fun. In formal settings like a meeting or a library, it is considered disruptive and impolite. Historically, it was seen as unrefined for women, but that has changed.

'笑' is the general word for laughing or smiling. '大笑' specifically means a loud, hearty laugh. If you just smile, you are '笑'; if you make noise and open your mouth wide, you are '大笑'.

You should use '嘲笑' (cháoxiào) or '笑话' (xiàohua). '大笑' cannot take an object, so you cannot say '我大笑他'. You must say '我嘲笑他' (I mocked him).

The '起来' is a complement that indicates the action has started. So '大笑起来' means 'to burst out laughing' or 'to start laughing loudly'.

It is primarily a verb. However, in phrases like '一阵大笑' (a burst of laughter), it functions as a noun. Generally, '大笑声' is used for the noun form 'the sound of loud laughter'.

Yes, it is a standard term. In very formal or literary writing, you might see '开怀大笑' or '抚掌大笑' (clapping and laughing), but '大笑' is perfectly acceptable in most prose.

This is a very common idiom (chengyu). '捧腹' means to hold one's belly. So it means to laugh so hard that you have to hold your stomach. It's like 'ROFL' in English.

Usually, yes. However, in literature, a character might '大笑' out of madness, irony, or to hide their sadness. Context is key.

In text messages, people usually write '哈哈哈' (hahaha) or '2333'. In formal descriptions, you would use '大笑'.

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