cười khà
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To chuckle: To laugh in a low, quiet, and often pleased or contented manner. It typically describes a soft, relaxed laugh, often expressing mild amusement, satisfaction, or a reaction to an internal thought.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Ông cụ đọc truyện cười rồi cười khà một mình. (The old man read a joke and chuckled to himself.)
- Nghe xong câu chuyện, anh ấy chỉ cười khà, không nói gì. (After hearing the story, he just chuckled and said nothing.)
Advanced Usage
- "cười khà khà": A reduplicated form that emphasizes the sound and duration of the chuckle, often sounding more hearty or repeated.
- Bác tôi vỗ bụng cười khà khà. (My uncle patted his stomach and chuckled heartily.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cười mỉm (v): to smile, often implying a gentler, quieter expression of amusement than a laugh.
- Cười tủm (v): to smile or giggle in a shy, suppressed, or secretive manner.
Synonyms
- Chuckle: To laugh quietly or inwardly.
- Chortle: To laugh in a breathy, gleeful way (often louder or more vigorous than a simple chuckle).
Related Idioms
- Cười thầm: to laugh inwardly or secretly.
- Nghe lời nói ngây thơ của con trẻ, bà cười thầm. (Hearing the child's innocent words, she laughed inwardly.)
- Cười trừ: to laugh something off, to respond with a laugh to avoid answering.
- Khi bị hỏi về chuyện tương lai, anh ta chỉ cười trừ. (When asked about the future, he just laughed it off.)