5 Ways Russians Say Lol

Humor is a universal language, and laughter knows no borders. When it comes to expressing amusement or sarcasm online, Russians have their own set of abbreviations and phrases that are equivalent to "LOL" in English. These expressions have become an integral part of Russian internet culture and are widely used in social media, messaging apps, and online forums. Here are five ways Russians say "LOL":

1. ХД (KhD) - The Russian Equivalent of LOL

One of the most common ways Russians express laughter online is by using the abbreviation ХД (KhD). This is equivalent to "LOL" in English and is widely used in social media, messaging apps, and online forums. The phrase is often used to respond to a joke or a funny situation.

Example:

Person A: "Я сегодня упал на льду и получил травму" ("I fell on the ice today and got injured") Person B: "ХД, сочувствую" ("ХД, sorry to hear that")

2. Лол (Lol) - The Universal Laughter Expression

Although ХД is a popular way to express laughter in Russian, many Russians also use the English abbreviation "LOL" in their online communication. This is especially true among younger generations who are more familiar with English.

Example:

Person A: "Сегодня я увидел самого смешного кота" ("I saw the funniest cat today") Person B: "Лол, показывай фото" ("LOL, show me the picture")

3. Хохочу (Khokhochu) - I'm Laughing Out Loud

When Russians want to emphasize that they're laughing out loud, they might use the phrase "Хохочу" (Khokhochu). This expression is similar to "ROFL" in English and is often used to respond to a hilarious joke or a funny video.

Example:

Person A: "Смотрел вчера видео про кошек и еле не умер от смеха" ("I watched a video about cats yesterday and almost died laughing") Person B: "Хохочу, показывай-link" ("Khokhochu, show me the link")

4. Смех второй (Smekh Vtoroy) - Laughter Second

This phrase is used to express that something is extremely funny, often to the point where it's hard to breathe. "Смех второй" (Smekh Vtoroy) literally translates to "laughter second," implying that the laughter is so intense it's almost suffocating.

Example:

Person A: "Читал вчера статью про самые смешные мемы и усёрдно заржал" ("I read an article about the funniest memes yesterday and laughed out loud") Person B: "Смех второй, показывай статью" ("Smekh Vtoroy, show me the article")

5. Ржак (Rzhak) - A Belly Laugh

When Russians want to express a deep, belly laugh, they might use the word "Ржак" (Rzhak). This word is often used to describe a laugh that's so intense it's almost painful.

Example:

Person A: "Смотрел вчера концерт комедийной группы и ржал всю ночь" ("I watched a comedy show yesterday and laughed all night") Person B: "Ржак, показывай запись" ("Rzhak, show me the recording")

These expressions are an integral part of Russian internet culture and are widely used to express amusement, sarcasm, or irony online. Whether it's ХД, Лол, Хохочу, Смех второй, or Ржак, each phrase has its own unique character and is used in different contexts to convey laughter and humor.