哄堂大笑

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: hōng táng dà xiào
• English Translation: To burst into laughter; the whole place erupts in laughter
• Idiom Composition: 「哄」（To burst into laughter）＋「堂」（Hall, large room）＋「大」（Big, loud）＋「笑」（To laugh）
• Meaning: Describes a situation where many people burst into laughter simultaneously. It refers to people in a particular place laughing loudly after seeing or hearing something funny or amusing.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「哄堂大笑」 contains the following nuances:

• Collective laughter: Emphasizes not individual laughter, but many people laughing together at the same place.
• Loud laughter: Describes loud, clearly audible laughter rather than quiet giggling.
• Cheerful atmosphere: Suggests a bright and joyful atmosphere that encourages laughter.
• Spontaneity: Laughter often arises spontaneously from unexpected events or remarks.

3. Usage

「哄堂大笑」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Situational description: Used to describe scenes where many people laugh together in the same place.
  • Example:「他的笑话一说完，会议室里立刻哄堂大笑起来。」
    （When his joke finished, the meeting room immediately erupted in laughter.）
• Expressing reactions: Expresses people's reactions when something funny or amusing happens.
  • Example:「听到这个消息，大家先是一愣，然后哄堂大笑。」
    （Upon hearing the news, everyone was initially stunned, then burst into laughter.）

Additional Examples:

1. 小丑的滑稽表演引得观众哄堂大笑。
   （The audience burst into laughter at the clown's comical performance.）
2. 他不小心说错了话，引得全班同学哄堂大笑。
   （When he accidentally misspoke, the whole class burst into laughter.）
3. 魔术师的表演出现了失误，但观众们还是哄堂大笑，气氛非常欢乐。
   （The magician's performance had a mistake, but the audience still laughed heartily, creating a very cheerful atmosphere.）
4. 电影里的这个片段太搞笑了，电影院里哄堂大笑声不断。
   （This scene in the movie was very funny, and laughter was continuous in the cinema.）
5. 尽管他的演讲很严肃，但中间穿插的几个笑话还是让听众们哄堂大笑。
   （Although his speech was serious, the audience burst into laughter at the jokes interspersed throughout.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Importance of humor: In Chinese culture, humor is considered an important element for fostering good relationships. 哄堂大笑 reflects a cultural background that positively values people laughing and enjoying themselves together.
• Atmospheric context: 哄堂大笑 suggests a bright and relaxed atmosphere. This expression is inappropriate in serious meetings or during sad occasions.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 捧腹大笑 (pěng fǔ dà xiào): To hold one's belly and laugh heartily.
  • 笑不可支 (xiào bù kě zhī): Cannot stop laughing.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 鸦雀无声 (yā què wú shēng): So quiet that not even the sound of crows or sparrows can be heard; complete silence.

6. Summary

哄堂大笑 is an idiom that vividly expresses the scene of many people laughing together simultaneously. Using this expression allows you to convey a bright and enjoyable atmosphere to your audience. However, it is important to consider whether it fits the situation's atmosphere and to use it appropriately.