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可笑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
可笑kěxiàofunnyHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #2302, Very Hard
可笑kěxiàoridiculousHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #2302, Very Hard
kěxiào(ke3xiao4)ke xiao T3
  1. 1funny
  2. 2ridiculous
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March 24, 2026

可笑kěxiào(ke3xiao4)

可笑 (kěxiào) means 'funny' or 'ridiculous' and is often used to describe something that provokes laughter or is absurd. It can refer to situations, behaviors, or statements that are amusingly nonsensical or worthy of ridicule.

Strokes15Frequency#2302DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, humor can often be tied to social norms and expectations, making something 可笑 not just funny, but also a commentary on societal behavior, such as in comedy shows or satirical literature.

Memory tip

Imagine a clown (可) who is so funny that everyone can't help but laugh (笑). The character 可 looks like a 'k' for 'kooky' and '笑' resembles laughter. Together, they evoke a silly scene that makes you chuckle.

Meanings of 可笑

kěxiào(ke3xiao4)
1funny
2ridiculous
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About 可笑

可笑Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 可笑

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Podcast: 可笑

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AI Study Notes for 可笑

Quick Contrast

可笑 (kěxiào) vs 好笑 (hǎoxiào): use 可笑 for something absurd or worthy of ridicule, while 好笑 emphasizes something that is simply funny.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 可笑 with just 'funny'; it often carries a nuance of absurdity or ridicule. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but may come off as harsh if applied to a person’s actions. Common collocations include '可笑的事' (ridiculous thing) and '可笑的理由' (absurd reason).

HSK Study Tips

While 可笑 is not an HSK word, it can enhance your vocabulary as you learn about humor and expressions. Focus on using it in sentences to describe situations or behaviors that you find absurd or comical.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 可笑 by saying '可笑的他' (the funny him), which can sound rude; it is better to say '他很可笑' (he is very funny). Another mistake is using it in overly serious contexts, where '好笑' (funny) may be more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 可笑

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Component Characters

可kěcan
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
笑xiàoto smile, to laugh; to giggle; to snicker
HSK 210 strokes⺮
View full entry

How to say funny in Chinese

“funny” in Chinese is可笑kěxiào

可笑 (kěxiào) means 'funny' or 'ridiculous' and is often used to describe something that provokes laughter or is absurd. It can refer to situations, behaviors, or statements that are amusingly nonsensical or worthy of ridicule.

When to use 可笑

Be careful not to confuse 可笑 with just 'funny'; it often carries a nuance of absurdity or ridicule. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but may come off as harsh if applied to a person’s actions. Common collocations include '可笑的事' (ridiculous thing) and '可笑的理由' (absurd reason).

可笑 or something close to it

可笑 (kěxiào) vs 好笑 (hǎoxiào): use 可笑 for something absurd or worthy of ridicule, while 好笑 emphasizes something that is simply funny.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 可笑 by saying '可笑的他' (the funny him), which can sound rude; it is better to say '他很可笑' (he is very funny). Another mistake is using it in overly serious contexts, where '好笑' (funny) may be more appropriate.

Write 可笑

可
笑

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Frequently Asked Questions about 可笑

Yes, but be cautious as it can be perceived as insulting; it's better to use it for situations or actions.

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