How common it is
笑 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say xiào slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
笑表示开心时脸上出现的表情，也可以表示发出笑声。
xiào biǎo shì kāi xīn shí liǎn shàng chū xiàn de biǎo qíng， yě kě yǐ biǎo shì fā chū xiào shēng。
笑 means the expression on your face when you are happy, and it can also mean making a laughing sound.
Context note
笑常出现在故事、聊天和开心场景里。
xiào cháng chū xiàn zài gù shì 、 liáo tiān hé kāi xīn chǎng jǐng lǐ。
笑 often appears in stories, chatting, and happy scenes.
5 examples
他笑了。
tā xiào le。
He smiled.
大家都在笑。
dà jiā dōu zài xiào。
Everyone is laughing.
她笑得很开心。
tā xiào dé hěn kāi xīn。
She laughed happily.
老师笑着说。
lǎo shī xiào zhe shuō。
The teacher said with a smile.
这个故事很好笑。
zhè ge gù shì hěn hǎo xiào。
This story is very funny.
5 mini stories
听到好消息以后，妈妈笑了。
tīng dào hǎo xiāo xī yǐ hòu， mā ma xiào le。
After hearing the good news, Mom smiled.
小朋友们看见小狗，就一起笑起来。
xiǎo péng yǒu men kàn jiàn xiǎo gǒu， jiù yì qǐ xiào qǐ lái。
The children saw the puppy and started laughing together.
老师讲了一个有趣的故事，大家都笑了。
lǎo shī jiǎng le yí gè yǒu qù de gù shì， dà jiā dōu xiào le。
The teacher told an interesting story, and everyone laughed.
妹妹笑着跑过来，手里拿着一朵花。
mèi mei xiào zhe pǎo guò lái， shǒu lǐ ná zhe yì duǒ huā。
My younger sister ran over smiling, holding a flower.
看到朋友开心，我也跟着笑了。
kàn dào péng yǒu kāi xīn， wǒ yě gēn zhe xiào le。
When I saw my friend happy, I smiled too.