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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 笑话 (xiàohua) to express "joke" or "to laugh at"

    Actions & Events
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Subject + 笑话 + Object

    Explanation

    笑话 (xiàohua) can function as a noun meaning "joke" or as a verb meaning "to laugh at" or "to ridicule." When used as a verb, it means to mock someone for foolish behavior. The context determines whether it is functioning as a noun or verb.

    Examples

    • 他讲的笑话把大家都逗笑了。

      Tā jiǎng de xiàohua bǎ dàjiā dōu dòu xiào le.

      The joke he told made everyone laugh.

    • 别笑话我，我第一次做饭当然做得不好。

      Bié xiàohua wǒ, wǒ dì yī cì zuòfàn dāngrán zuò de bù hǎo.

      Don't laugh at me — of course I didn't do well cooking for the first time.

    • 你会讲中文笑话吗？讲一个给我听听。

      Nǐ huì jiǎng Zhōngwén xiàohua ma? Jiǎng yí ge gěi wǒ tīngting.

      Can you tell a Chinese joke? Tell me one.

    Using 笑话 (xiàohua) to express "joke" or "to laugh at" | Chinese Grammar