好笑

• Pinyin: hǎo xiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 好 = 女 + 子 (good); 笑 = 竹 (bamboo) + 夭 (bend) — smile/laugh

Meaning

Funny; amusing; ridiculous. Describes something that provokes laughter or seems absurd.

Can mean genuinely funny (making people laugh) or laughably ridiculous (deserving mockery). Context determines which nuance is intended. Common in everyday speech, light social commentary, and reactions to awkward situations.

Examples

1. 他模仿老师说话的样子太好笑了，把大家都逗乐了。 The way he imitated the teacher was so funny that everyone burst out laughing.
2. 这个借口听起来好笑，没有人会相信的。 That excuse sounds ridiculous—no one would believe it.
3. 那出喜剧的剧情设计非常好笑，让观众捧腹大笑。 The plot of that comedy was really funny and had the audience in stitches.

Usage Guide

Context: humour, mockery, casual comment

Tone: light

Do Say

• 这段视频真的很好笑，我看了好几遍。(This video is really funny — I've watched it several times.)
• 他的回答好笑极了，完全答非所问。(His answer was hilarious — he completely missed the point.)

Don't Say

• 好笑 to describe dark or cruel humour — 黑色幽默 is more appropriate for that register

Origin & History

好 (good; causing) + 笑 (laugh) — literally 'causing laughter'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal