A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a cheerful character, perhaps a child, laughing heartily with a wide-open mouth and closed, joyful eyes, depicting the action of laughter.

risa

REE-sah

NounfA1

laughter?The general sound or action of laughing.,laugh?A specific instance or sound of laughing.

📝 In Action

Su risa llenó toda la habitación.

Her laughter filled the whole room.

Me dio mucha risa cuando se cayó el pastel.

The cake falling gave me a lot of laughs (or, I found it very funny).

Tiene una risa contagiosa que hace reír a todos.

She has a contagious laugh that makes everyone else laugh.

Word Connections

Synonyms

carcajada (loud burst of laughter)
hilaridad (hilarity)

Antonyms

llanto (crying)
tristeza (sadness)

Common Collocations

morirse de risa – to die of laughter (to laugh very hard)
aguantar la risa – to hold back laughter

Idioms & Expressions

dar risa – to be funny or amusing (literally 'to give laugh')

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'risa' is a feminine noun, you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la risa' or 'mucha risa').

Noun vs. Verb

Remember that 'risa' is the noun (the thing/sound), while 'reír' is the verb (the action: 'to laugh').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Me gusta risar mucho. (Incorrect: using the noun as a verb)"

Correction: Me gusta reír mucho. (Correct: using the verb 'to laugh')

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Funniness

A very natural way to say something is funny is 'Da risa' or 'Me dio mucha risa' (It gave me a lot of laughter).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: risa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the noun 'risa'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

reír(to laugh) - verb

risueño(smiling, cheerful) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'risa' and 'reír'?

'Risa' (a feminine noun) is the sound or the thing itself (laughter/a laugh). 'Reír' is the action word (the verb) meaning 'to laugh.' Think of 'risa' as 'the laugh' and 'reír' as 'to laugh.'

How do I say 'He made me laugh'?

You can use the verb 'hacer' (to make) plus the verb 'reír': 'Me hizo reír.' Alternatively, you can use the phrase related to the noun 'risa': 'Me dio mucha risa' (It gave me a lot of laughter/It was very funny).