Spanish Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Spanish word
carcajada
Pronunciation
IPA/kaɾkaˈxaða/
Meaning
- feminine nounburst of laughter
Example
Todos estallaron en una carcajada al escuchar la broma.
Everyone let out a burst of laughter when they heard the joke.
More examples
Ella soltó una carcajada al final de la película.
She burst out laughing at the end of the movie.
Core concept
A loud, involuntary guffaw that fills a room.
Common phrases
soltar una carcajada
burst out laughing
arrancar una carcajada
elicit a burst of laughter
una carcajada sonora
a loud burst of laughter
Similar words
risa: Simple, casual laugh expressed as a smile or chuckle.
risotada: Loud, explosive laugh that starts abruptly and often surprises others.
ataque de risa: Sudden inability to stop laughing, a spell of repeated uncontrolled laughter.
risilla: Tiny, subdued chuckle or titter kept to oneself.
Definition in Spanish
Risa muy intensa y sonora que surge de manera repentina y resulta difícil de contener.
Word origin
From the verb carcajear, itself likely formed from an imitative interjection in medieval Iberian Romance that described a loud, raucous laugh.
Usage tips
- Often collocates with verbs such as estallar, soltarse, or romper, so learning those pairings helps convey 'burst into loud laughter' rather than a polite smile.