Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cackle'

English Word: cackle

Key Russian Translations:

• хохотать [xəxɐˈtatʲ] - [Informal, Verb]
• кудахтать [kʊˈdaxtətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Often used for hen sounds]
• смеяться громко [smʲɪˈjatʲsʲə ˈgromkə] - [Descriptive Phrase, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in informal contexts or specific imagery)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "хохотать" and "смеяться громко"; A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "кудахтать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

хохотать: [xəxɐˈtatʲ]

Note on хохотать: The initial 'х' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, unfamiliar to many English speakers; practice a guttural 'h' sound.

кудахтать: [kʊˈdaxtətʲ]

Note on кудахтать: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'х' sound requires a slight throat clearing.

смеяться громко: [smʲɪˈjatʲsʲə ˈgromkə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To laugh loudly or shrilly (human)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хохотать - Used for loud, unrestrained laughter, often with a negative or mocking connotation.
• смеяться громко - A more neutral phrase for loud laughter, less emotionally charged.

Usage Examples:

• Она хохотала так громко, что все обернулись.

  She cackled so loudly that everyone turned around.

• Дети хохотали над шуткой учителя.

  The children cackled at the teacher's joke.

• Он смеялся громко, не обращая внимания на других.

  He laughed loudly, ignoring everyone else.

2. To make a sound like a hen (animal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кудахтать - Specifically mimics the clucking sound of a hen, often used metaphorically for chatter.

Usage Examples:

• Курица кудахтала во дворе с утра.

  The hen was cackling in the yard since morning.

• Бабушки кудахтали на лавочке, обсуждая соседей.

  The grandmothers were cackling on the bench, gossiping about the neighbors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

хохотать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses. Below is the present tense conjugation:

кудахтать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns as above.

смеяться громко (Phrase): "смеяться" is a reflexive verb with regular conjugation; "громко" (loudly) is an adverb and does not inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for хохотать (loud laughter):

• гоготать
• рехтать (regional, informal)

Note: "гоготать" often implies a harsher, more guttural laugh compared to "хохотать."

Antonyms for хохотать:

• молчать (to be silent)
• плакать (to cry)

Related Phrases:

• хохотать до слёз - To laugh until tears (laugh uncontrollably).
• кудахтать без умолку - To cackle non-stop (chatter endlessly, often annoyingly).
• смеяться громко и заразительно - To laugh loudly and contagiously.

Usage Notes:

• "хохотать" often carries a connotation of mockery or excessive laughter and may sound derogatory in some contexts. Use it carefully when describing someone's laughter.
• "кудахтать" is primarily associated with the sound of hens but is frequently used metaphorically to describe repetitive or annoying speech, especially among older women.
• For a neutral description of loud laughter, "смеяться громко" is safer and more versatile across contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хохотать" to describe polite or gentle laughter.
  Incorrect: Она хохотала на вечеринке (implying rudeness).
  Correct: Она смеялась на вечеринке (She laughed at the party).
  Explanation: "хохотать" suggests loud, unrestrained laughter, which may not suit formal or polite settings.
• Error: Misusing "кудахтать" for human laughter without a metaphorical intent.
  Incorrect: Он кудахтал над шуткой.
  Correct: Он хохотал над шуткой (He cackled at the joke).
  Explanation: "кудахтать" should only be used for animal sounds or as a metaphor for chatter.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, loud laughter ("хохотать") can sometimes be perceived as impolite or indicative of a lack of self-control, especially in formal or public settings. Russians may value more subdued expressions of amusement in such contexts. Additionally, the metaphorical use of "кудахтать" to describe gossiping or chattering often carries a lighthearted, humorous tone when referring to groups of friends or family.

Related Concepts:

• смех (laughter)
• шутка (joke)
• веселье (merriment)