hysterical
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hysterical
Behavior characterized by exaggerated, uncontrolled emotions such as fear, excitement, or anger, and often perceived as irrational.
Als sie die Spinne sah, fing sie an, hysterisch zu schreien.
When she saw the spider, she started screaming hysterically.
hysterical
Colloquial for extremely funny or laugh-inducing.
Die Art, wie er die Geschichte erzählt hat, war einfach nur hysterisch.
The way he told the story was just hysterical.
This word has two opposite meanings. The negative meaning describes an uncontrolled, panicked reaction. The positive, colloquial meaning describes something as extremely funny. The situational context makes it clear what is meant.
Er reagierte hysterisch auf die schlechte Nachricht.
He reacted hysterically to the bad news.
In the meaning of 'panisch' (panicked) or 'außer sich' (beside oneself), 'hysterisch' (hysterical) is often combined with verbs of expression or reaction. Typical phrases are 'hysterisch schreien' (to scream hysterically), 'hysterisch weinen' (to cry hysterically), or 'hysterisch werden' (to become hysterical).
Das Kind wurde hysterisch, als es seine Mutter im Supermarkt verlor.
The child became hysterical when it lost its mother in the supermarket.
The meaning 'extrem komisch' (extremely funny) is purely colloquial. It is used in conversation with friends, but would be inappropriate in formal situations or in written language.
Wir haben uns über seine Witze hysterisch amüsiert.
We were hysterically amused by his jokes.
funny
In colloquial use, „lustig“ and „hysterisch“ can both describe something comical. „Lustig“ generally says that something makes people laugh; „hysterisch“ describes an especially strong comedic effect in this usage. It is appropriate when you can barely stop laughing.
Die Szene war hysterisch, und wir konnten uns vor Lachen kaum beruhigen.
The scene was hysterical, and we could barely calm down because we were laughing so hard.
Die Szene war lustig, und wir mussten lachen.
The scene was funny, and we had to laugh.
