laughter
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laughter
The loud, audible laughing of one or more people in response to something funny or amusing.
Nach dem Witz des Komikers erfüllte lautes Gelächter den ganzen Saal.
After the comedian's joke, loud laughter filled the entire hall.
The prefix 'Ge-' here turns the verb 'lachen' (to laugh) into a noun. Such nouns often describe a collective or ongoing event, here the sound of laughter from one or more people.
Das Gelächter der Kinder war im ganzen Haus zu hören.
The children's laughter could be heard throughout the house.
'Gelächter' (laughter) is a noun that is used almost exclusively in the singular, even when many people are laughing. There is no plural form 'die Gelächter'.
Plötzlich gab es lautes Gelächter im Publikum.
Suddenly there was loud laughter in the audience.
Common expressions are 'in Gelächter ausbrechen' (to burst into laughter) or that laughter 'ausbricht' (breaks out). You can also say that laughter 'erfüllt' (fills) a room.
Als er den Witz erzählte, brach die ganze Gruppe in Gelächter aus.
When he told the joke, the whole group burst into laughter.
to laugh
Lachen and Gelächter both refer to an audible reaction to something funny. Lachen neutrally names the activity or individual reactions, while Gelächter usually emphasizes loud, shared, or sometimes mocking-sounding laughter. Use lachen for the action and Gelächter for the clearly noticeable sound.
Als der Schauspieler den Witz erzählte, war lautes Gelächter im Saal zu hören.
When the actor told the joke, loud laughter could be heard in the hall.
Als der Schauspieler den Witz erzählte, begannen die Zuschauer zu lachen.
When the actor told the joke, the audience started laughing.
