soltar la carcajada
Lemma Details
Translation: to burst out laughing; to roar with laughter; to break into laughter
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish phrase combines 'soltar' (to release, to let go) and 'carcajada' (a loud laugh). 'Soltar' comes from Latin 'solutus', past participle of 'solvere' (to loosen, release), while 'carcajada' is onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of hearty laughter. The phrase literally means 'to release the loud laugh' and vividly captures the sudden, uncontrolled nature of bursting into laughter.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Cuando le conté el chiste, soltó la carcajada.
When I told him the joke, he burst out laughing.
No pude evitar soltar la carcajada durante la reunión.
I couldn't help bursting into laughter during the meeting.
Al ver la escena, todos soltamos la carcajada.
Upon seeing the scene, we all roared with laughter.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'soltar' as 'to let out' and 'carcajada' as a 'loud laugh' – you're literally 'letting out a loud laugh'
- Imagine someone 'releasing' (soltar) a caged bird (carcajada) of laughter that flies out uncontrollably
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is widely used in Spanish-speaking cultures to describe spontaneous, uncontrolled laughter. It's often used in storytelling and conversation to indicate a moment of genuine amusement or when someone finds something extremely funny.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'soltar la carcajada' refers to the moment of bursting into laughter (the start of laughing), 'reírse a carcajadas' describes the continuous action of laughing loudly and heartily.
Confused word:
Se reía a carcajadas durante toda la película.
He was roaring with laughter throughout the entire movie.
Notes: Both expressions involve loud, hearty laughter, but differ in whether they emphasize the beginning moment or the continuing action of laughing.
Mnemonic: 'Soltar' (release) indicates a single moment; 'reírse' (to laugh) suggests ongoing action.