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.
laugh / gag
'das Gelächter' and 'der Lacher' both have to do with laughing, but they emphasize different things. 'Gelächter' means the audible, often loud laughter of one or more people. 'Lacher' can mean a single laugh, but it is very often used for something that causes laughter, such as a joke or a funny remark. The words can be confused because both occur in humorous situations. If you mean the sound of people laughing, 'Gelächter' is more natural. If you mean the reason for the laughter or a single funny moment, 'Lacher' fits better.
Nach Toms Witz hörte man lautes Gelächter aus der Küche.
After Tom's joke, loud laughter could be heard from the kitchen.
Der kleine Fehler in der Präsentation war ein Lacher, aber niemand war böse.
The small mistake in the presentation got a laugh, but no one was upset.