vỡ bụng
Definition
- Adjective (in predicative use) / Verb phrase:
- To laugh uncontrollably; to be in stitches; to split one's sides laughing: Describes a state of extreme, explosive laughter, often implying physical discomfort from laughing too hard. It is a figurative expression, not a literal physical condition.
Usage Examples
- Adjective/Verb phrase:
- Câu chuyện của anh ấy làm tôi cười vỡ bụng. (His story made me laugh uncontrollably.)
- Bộ phim hài đó khiến cả rạp cười vỡ bụng. (That comedy film had the whole theater in stitches.)
- Đừng kể chuyện nữa, tôi sắp vỡ bụng mất! (Stop telling jokes, I'm going to split my sides!)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost exclusively used in the construction "cười vỡ bụng" (to laugh until one's belly bursts). It is a fixed, idiomatic expression.
- It can sometimes be used hyperbolically to describe something as extremely funny, even if one isn't currently laughing.
- Trò đùa đó thật sự là vỡ bụng. (That joke is truly hilarious / a real side-splitter.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cười nghiêng ngả (v): to laugh heartily, to be doubled over with laughter. (Slightly less intense than "cười vỡ bụng").
- Cười lăn cười bò (v): to roll around laughing. (Emphasizes the physical reaction).
Synonyms
- To be in stitches: To laugh uncontrollably.
- To split one's sides (laughing): To laugh extremely hard.
- To crack up: To burst out laughing.
- To crease up (with laughter): To be overcome with laughter.
Related Idioms
- "Cười vỡ bụng" is itself the primary idiom. There are no direct variant idioms, but it belongs to a family of Vietnamese expressions that use "vỡ" (to burst/break) figuratively for strong emotions, such as:
- Vỡ òa: to burst out (with emotion, like joy or tears).
- Vỡ lẽ: to suddenly realize or have a revelation.