lachen
laugh
Eine Reaktion, bei der man Geräusche macht und das Gesicht fröhlich aussieht, oft weil etwas lustig ist.
Definition & meaning
lachen is a verb that refers to the act of expressing amusement, joy, or sometimes nervousness or mockery through involuntary sounds and facial movements.
- To express amusement: When something is funny, a person makes vocal sounds (laughter) and changes their facial expression (smiling or showing teeth).
- To express mockery or scorn: It can also mean to laugh at someone in a derisive or mean-spirited way.
- To be fortunate: In a figurative sense, it is often used in the phrase "jemandem lacht das Glück" (fortune smiles upon someone), meaning someone is having good luck.
Grammar & Word origin
lachen is a weak verb. It is intransitive (though it can be used transitively in specific contexts like "jemanden auslachen").
- Present tense: ich lache, du lachst, er/sie/es lacht.
- Past tense (Präteritum): ich lachte.
- Past participle (Perfekt): gelacht.
The word originates from the Old High German lahhan, which has roots in Proto-Germanic and is related to the English word "laugh".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- kichern (to giggle)
- grinsen (to grin)
- schmunzeln (to smile/smirk)
- prusten (to snort/burst out laughing)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Wir lachen über seinen Witz.verb
We laugh at his joke.
Sie lachen laut im Garten.verb
They laugh loudly in the garden.
Sie lachen laut in der Pause.verb
They laugh loudly during the break.
Wir lachen über den guten Witz.verb
We laugh at the good joke.
Er lacht über den Witz.verb
He laughs at the joke.
Kinder lachen beim Spielen oft.verb
Children often laugh while playing.
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