Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laugh'

English Word: laugh

Key Russian Translations:

• смеяться /smʲɪˈjætʲsə/ - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday conversations]
• смех /smʲɛx/ - [Noun, Neutral, Used to refer to the act or sound of laughing]

Frequency: High (The concept of laughing is common in daily Russian communication, appearing frequently in spoken and written language).

Difficulty: A2 for 'смеяться' (basic verb conjugation for beginners); B1 for 'смех' (understanding noun forms and contexts for intermediate learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

смеяться: /smʲɪˈjætʲsə/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'с' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's softer than in English).

Note on смеяться: This is a reflexive verb, so the pronunciation may vary slightly in different conjugations, such as /smʲɪˈjæjʊ/ in first person singular. Pay attention to the 'я' sound, which is like 'ya' in "yard."

смех: /smʲɛx/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'x' is a guttural sound similar to 'ch' in Scottish "loch.").

Note on смех: In fast speech, the final 'x' might soften, but it's pronounced clearly in formal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To express amusement or joy through sounds (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смеяться - Used in informal settings like conversations, stories, or media to describe laughing out loud; common in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Он засмеялся, услышав забавную историю. (He laughed when he heard the funny story.)

  English: He laughed when he heard the funny story. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context, highlighting everyday humor.)

• Дети смеются в парке, играя в игры. (The children are laughing in the park while playing games.)

  English: The children are laughing in the park while playing games. (Demonstrates present tense use in a joyful, outdoor setting.)

• Не смейся над чужими ошибками; это невежливо. (Don't laugh at other people's mistakes; it's rude.)

  English: Don't laugh at other people's mistakes; it's rude. (Illustrates imperative form in a moral or advisory context.)

• Она всегда смеётся, когда смотрит комедии. (She always laughs when she watches comedies.)

  English: She always laughs when she watches comedies. (Shows habitual action with adverbs for emphasis.)

• Все засмеялись после его шутки. (Everyone laughed after his joke.)

  English: Everyone laughed after his joke. (Depicts a group reaction in social interactions.)

Meaning 2: The sound or expression of amusement (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смех - Used in contexts describing the physical act of laughing, such as in literature, psychology, or everyday descriptions; can be neutral or emotional.

Usage Examples:

• Его смех эхом разнёсся по комнате. (His laughter echoed through the room.)

  English: His laughter echoed through the room. (This shows the noun in a descriptive, sensory context.)

• Смех в аудитории прервал лекцию. (Laughter in the audience interrupted the lecture.)

  English: Laughter in the audience interrupted the lecture. (Illustrates the noun in a public or formal setting.)

• Её смех был заразительным и поднял настроение всем. (Her laughter was infectious and lifted everyone's spirits.)

  English: Her laughter was infectious and lifted everyone's spirits. (Demonstrates emotional impact in interpersonal scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'смеяться' (a reflexive verb), it follows imperfective aspect patterns and conjugates irregularly in some forms. Below is a conjugation table for present tense:

For 'смех' (a masculine noun), it declines as a third-declension noun with no irregularities:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: хохотать (to laugh loudly, often with more intensity), посмеиваться (to chuckle or smile while laughing quietly) - 'хохотать' is used for boisterous laughter, while 'посмеиваться' implies subtlety.
• Antonyms: плакать (to cry), грустить (to be sad) - These convey opposite emotions.

Related Phrases:

• Засмеяться до слёз - (To laugh until tears come) - Used for uncontrollable laughter in humorous situations.
• Смех сквозь слёзы - (Laughter through tears) - Refers to mixed emotions, often in ironic or bittersweet contexts.
• Разразиться смехом - (To burst into laughter) - Indicates a sudden, explosive reaction.

Usage Notes:

'Смеяться' directly corresponds to the English verb 'to laugh' and is commonly used in informal speech, but it can feel more expressive in Russian contexts. Choose 'смех' for the noun form when describing the phenomenon of laughter. Be mindful of aspect: 'смеяться' is imperfective, so pair it with perfective forms like 'засмеяться' for completed actions. In formal writing, avoid overusing in sensitive topics to prevent offense.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'смеяться' with non-reflexive verbs, e.g., saying "смею" instead of "смеюсь" for first person. Correct: Use the full reflexive form. Explanation: Russian reflexive verbs require the '-ся' suffix, which English learners often omit, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Using 'смех' in plural without context, e.g., "смехи" incorrectly in singular contexts. Correct: Reserve plural for multiple instances. Explanation: This can make the sentence sound unnatural; always check the number agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, laughter ('смех') is often tied to communal humor, as seen in folk tales or modern comedy shows like those of Yakov Smirnoff. It can carry a sarcastic undertone in everyday speech, reflecting the cultural value of wit and resilience, especially in historical contexts like Soviet-era anecdotes.

Related Concepts:

• улыбаться (to smile)
• юмор (humor)
• шутка (joke)