Mandarin Chinese (PTH), Example 44

Comment:

Literally, Mandarin does not have a simple word for LAUGH. The meaning of Xiao in Mandarin is highly generalized, including the meanings of English laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle, grin, etc. Mandarin precise counterpart of LAUGH is a compound da-xiao (lit. big-smile). The property of compound restricted its alternations.

Type:

Constructed by linguist