Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'guffaw'

English Word: guffaw

Key Russian Translations:

• хохот [xɐˈxot] - [Informal]
• громкий смех [ˈɡromkʲɪj ˈsmʲɛx] - [Formal, Descriptive]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature and everyday conversation, but not as frequent as basic emotion words)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage, suitable for learners with basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хохот: [xɐˈxot]

громкий смех: [ˈɡromkʲɪj ˈsmʲɛx]

Note on хохот: The initial 'x' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in the Scottish "loch." It can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on громкий смех: Stress on the first syllable of each word; the 'й' in 'громкий' softens the preceding consonant, a common Russian feature.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of laughing loudly or boisterously.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хохот - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe unrestrained, hearty laughter, often in social or narrative settings.
• громкий смех - Employed in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as literature or reports, to emphasize the volume and intensity of laughter.

Usage Examples:

• Весь зал разразился хохотом после шутки комика.

  The whole hall burst into guffaws after the comedian's joke.

• Его хохот эхом отозвался в пустой комнате, пугая всех вокруг.

  His guffaw echoed through the empty room, startling everyone around.

• Дети не могли остановить громкий смех во время просмотра мультфильма.

  The children couldn't stop their loud guffaws while watching the cartoon.

• При виде забавного животного, она издала громкий смех, привлекший внимание прохожих.

  Upon seeing the funny animal, she let out a guffaw that caught the passersby's attention.

• В компании друзей, хохот часто перерастает в настоящую истерию.

  In the company of friends, guffaws often escalate into full-blown hysterics.

Another meaning: A sudden, explosive laugh (e.g., in response to surprise).

Translation(s) & Context:

• хохот - Informal, spontaneous reactions, such as in casual conversations or storytelling.
• громкий смех - More neutral, used in formal descriptions to highlight the abrupt nature.

Usage Examples:

• Когда он поскользнулся, его хохот был заразительным для всех.

  When he slipped, his guffaw was infectious to everyone.

• Громкий смех эхом разнёсся по залу после неожиданной развязки.

  A guffaw echoed through the hall after the unexpected twist.

• Её внезапный хохот прервал серьёзный разговор.

  Her sudden guffaw interrupted the serious discussion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "хохот" is a masculine noun with standard declension patterns. "громкий смех" is a phrase where "смех" (also masculine) follows regular patterns. Below is a table for "хохот" and "смех" inflections:

Note: These follow regular masculine noun patterns with no irregularities, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: смех (general laughter, less intense); раскатистый хохот (rolling guffaw, more vivid)
• Antonyms: тишина (silence); слёзы (tears, in emotional contrast)

Related Phrases:

• разразиться хохотом - To burst into guffaws; used for sudden, overwhelming laughter in social situations.
• громкий смех в ответ - Loud laughter in response; common in interactive contexts like debates or performances.
• неудержимый хохот - Uncontrollable guffaw; implies laughter that's hard to stop, often in humorous scenarios.

Usage Notes:

хохот directly corresponds to "guffaw" in its informal, boisterous connotation, making it ideal for everyday English-to-Russian translation in casual settings. However, громкий смех is preferred in formal writing or when emphasizing volume without the playful undertone. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often appear in narrative descriptions rather than direct dialogue. For grammar, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like "после"). When choosing between translations, opt for хохот in spoken language and громкий смех in descriptive texts to match the English word's intensity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "смех" interchangeably with "хохот," which is too general and doesn't convey the loud, explosive nature of a guffaw. Correct: Replace with "хохот" for accuracy. Example of error: "Он издал смех" (He let out a laugh) vs. Correct: "Он издал хохот" (He let out a guffaw).

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "в хохот" instead of "в хохоте." Correct: Use the prepositional case as needed. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with case requirements, unlike English, so always check the sentence's grammatical role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, laughter like a guffaw (хохот) is often associated with communal humor, as seen in folk tales or modern comedies. It reflects the value of shared joy and resilience, but excessive laughter might be viewed as rude in formal settings, highlighting cultural norms around emotional expression.

Related Concepts:

• смех
• юмор
• рассмеяться