笑

You can use it as a verb or a noun. To say someone is smiling, just say 他在笑 (He is laughing/smiling). If you want to describe a specific kind of laugh, you add words before it. For example, 大笑 (dàxiào) is a big laugh. 微笑 (wēixiào) is a gentle smile. It is like a Lego brick; you just snap other words onto it to change the vibe.

Use it whenever the mood is light. Use it when you see a cute puppy. Use it when a friend tells a joke. In a restaurant, you might see a waiter with a 微笑 (smile). When texting, you can repeat it like 笑笑 to show you are being playful. It is the ultimate social lubricant in any conversation.

Be careful with 笑话 (xiàohuà). While it means 'a joke,' if you say 笑话人, it means you are mocking someone. Don't use it during very somber moments like a funeral or a serious reprimand at work. Also, avoid 'laughing' if someone makes a mistake unless you are very close friends. It might come off as rude rather than friendly.

In Chinese culture, a smile is often a 'social mask.' People might 笑 to hide embarrassment or to keep the peace. It is not always about being happy. Sometimes, a polite smile is used to say 'I don't agree, but I'm being nice.' Also, the 'laughing Buddha' is a huge symbol of prosperity and luck. A big laugh is seen as a sign of a generous spirit.

You will often see 搞笑 (gǎoxiào) which means 'funny' or 'hilarious.' If someone is really funny, you call them 搞笑. Another one is 好笑 (hǎoxiào), which simply means 'laughable' or 'funny.' If you are texting, you might see 哈哈哈 (hāhāhā), which is the sound of 笑 written out. It is the Chinese 'LOL'!