Laughing is the third most important verb after living and loving. (Fabrizio Caramagna)
That’s why in this video I will introduce you to Italian words and idiomatic expressions related to “ridere” (to laugh) and “sorriso” (smile).
RIDERE: Italian Words and Expressions
Let’s jump right into the idiomatic expressions with RIDERE (to laugh):
1. Sbellicarsi (dalle risate)
To laugh uncontrollably, excessively, to the point of not being able to stop, until you can’t take it anymore.
Example:
Ogni volta che guardiamo un film di Checco Zalone, ci sbellichiamo dalle risate fino a piangere.
[Every time we watch a Checco Zalone movie, we laugh so hard that we end up crying].
2. Scompisciarsi (dalle risate)
A more colloquial synonym of the previous one.
Example:
Luca continuava a scompisciarsi dalle risate, ma nessuno riusciva a capirne il motivo.
[Luca kept laughing hysterically, but no one could understand why].
3. Crepare dal ridere
To laugh so hard that it feels like you’re about to die (literally “to crack”).
Example:
Quando Michele è caduto dalla sedia sono crepata dal ridere!
[When Michele fell off his chair, I cracked up laughing!]
4. Ridere come un cavallo
To laugh in a graceless, awkward way, showing all your teeth, especially if they are large and long, or making a sound like a horse’s whinny.
Example:
Elena ride come un cavallo, però è così sicura di sé che non prova mai imbarazzo.
[Elena laughs like a horse, but she’s so confident that she never feels embarrassed].
5. Far ridere
People: To talk, act, or behave in a ridiculous way that causes others to laugh.
Things/Ideas: To be so foolish or insignificant that they don’t even deserve consideration.
Jobs/Tasks: To be very easy and simple.
Examples:
Non continuare a dire che ti trasferirai all’estero se poi rimani sempre qui! Fai solo ridere così…
[Stop saying you’re going to move abroad when you always stay here! It just makes you look ridiculous…]
Chi ha proposto di cambiare i colori del nostro celebre logo? Per favore… Accettiamo solo proposte serie, non proposte che fanno ridere!
[Who proposed changing the colors of our famous logo? Please… We only accept serious proposals, not ones that are laughable!]
Il capo assegna sempre compiti che fanno ridere al suo dipendente preferito, mentre tutti noi dobbiamo sgobbare per fare tutto il resto!
[The boss always gives the easiest tasks to his favorite employee, while the rest of us have to work hard to do everything else!]
6. Far ridere i polli (anche: Far ridere i sassi)
To behave in a ridiculous way, so much so that even people or things that typically don’t laugh (like chickens or stones) would laugh.
Example:
Mario dice di voler diventare un esperto di finanza ma poi passa tutto il tempo sui social… Fa ridere i polli!
[Mario says he wants to become a finance expert but then spends all his time on social media… He’s a joke!]
7. Ridere a denti stretti
To laugh reluctantly, against one’s will, forcing oneself to smile through clenched teeth because you’re trying to tolerate something.
Example:
Non sopportavo le sue battute offensive, ridevo a denti stretti e speravo che quella conversazione finisse presto.
[I couldn’t stand his offensive jokes, I laughed through clenched teeth and hoped the conversation would end soon].
8. Ridere di cuore
To laugh sincerely and with true joy, from the heart.
Example:
È sempre bello incontrare i vecchi amici dopo tempo: ci si diverte e si ride di cuore, perché ci si conosce ormai tanto bene.
[It’s always nice to meet up with old friends after a while: we have fun and laugh from the heart because we know each other so well].
9. (Ma) Non farmi ridere!
An exclamation used when someone says something ridiculous, makes inappropriate requests, or tells unbelievable stories. It expresses disbelief, surprise, and also frustration.
Example:
Vuoi provare a convincermi che tu hai scritto questo libro? Ma non farmi ridere! Non sai nemmeno mettere insieme due parole senza commettere un errore grammaticale…
[You want to convince me that you wrote this book? Don’t make me laugh! You can’t even put two words together without making a grammatical mistake…]
10. Ridere in faccia (a qualcuno)
To laugh in a mocking or disrespectful way, especially in front of someone who says something absurd or inappropriate.
Example:
Ci siamo trattenuti tutta la serata per evitare di ridere alle cose sciocche che diceva, ma, quando ha iniziato ad abbaiare perché era convinto di parlare con il cane, vantarsi di essere l’unica persona in grado di parlare con i cani, gli abbiamo riso in faccia.
[We held back all evening to avoid laughing at the silly things he was saying, but when he started barking because he thought he was talking to a dog, boasting about being the only person who could talk to dogs, we laughed in his face].
11. Non so se ridere o piangere
Used ironically when faced with something ridiculous or absurd, something so serious or unbelievable that it makes you not know whether to laugh or cry.
Example:
Dopo giorni e giorni di lavoro, avete scritto solo queste tre righe? Non so se ridere o piangere…
[After days and days of work, you’ve only written these three lines? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…]
12. Ridere sotto i baffi
To smirk or smile in a hidden, mischievous way, almost as if you were concealing the movement of your lips under your mustache. Often occurs when something absurd or inappropriate is said.
Example:
Devi smetterla di ridere sotto i baffi quando faccio un discorso in inglese! Mi deconcentri e mi metti a disagio!
[You need to stop smirking when I give an English speech! It distracts me and makes me uncomfortable!]
13. Tutto da ridere
Used with a noun to indicate something that is ridiculous, absurd, illogical, or meaningless.
Example:
La mia famiglia è un po’ strana… Ogni Natale continuiamo a ripetere un rito tutto da ridere, con canti e balli tanto imbarazzanti! Però ci divertiamo…
[My family is a bit strange… Every Christmas, we continue to repeat a ritual that’s totally laughable, with embarrassing songs and dances! But we have fun…]
14. Ridere (o Sorridere) con gli occhi
To laugh or smile with your eyes, often associated with genuine happiness and pleasure. It’s a smile that involves the emotional part of the brain.
Example:
Non serve che tu me lo dica, posso vedere che sei felice perché stai sorridendo con gli occhi.
[You don’t need to tell me, I can see you’re happy because you’re smiling with your eyes].
Let’s move on to words and expressions related to LAUGHTER and SMILES:
1. Fossetta
A dimple that some people get in their cheeks when they smile.
Example:
Tra i personaggi famosi per le fossette, ci sono Harry Styles, Kirsten Dunst, Brad Pitt e Miranda Kerr.
[Some famous people known for their dimples are Harry Styles, Kirsten Dunst, Brad Pitt, and Miranda Kerr].
2. Accenno di un sorriso
A slight smile, a hint of a smile, not too obvious.
Example:
Oggi Marco sembra molto triste, sul suo viso non c’è l’accenno di un sorriso!
[Today Marco looks really sad, there’s not even a hint of a smile on his face!]
3. Risatina
A short, subdued laugh, often with an ironic undertone.
Example:
È inutile che continuate con le vostre risatine… Vi si sente! Se avete un problema con me, venite qua e ditemelo!
[It’s no use continuing with your little laughs… We can hear you! If you have a problem with me, come over and say it!]
4. Sorriso smagliante
A brilliant, shining, dazzling smile.
Example:
Se devo pensare a un sorriso smagliante, mi viene subito in mente quello di Julia Roberts.
[If I think of a dazzling smile, I immediately think of Julia Roberts’ smile].
5. Farsi due/quattro risate
To have fun, laughing and enjoying yourself, whether alone or with others. It can also be used ironically to refer to something happening as predicted, even if no one else believed it.
Example:
Ogni tanto giochiamo insieme a poker solo per farci due risate, ma nessuno di noi è davvero bravo.
[Every now and then we play poker just for a laugh, but none of us are really good at it].
6. Sorriso a 32 denti
A wide, radiant, genuine smile.
Example:
Federica aveva un sorriso a 32 denti mentre scartava i regali: posso affermare con assoluta certezza che le sono piaciuti tutti.
[Federica had a huge smile on her face as she unwrapped her presents: I can say with absolute certainty that she liked them all].
7. Strappare un sorriso (a qualcuno)
To manage to make someone smile or laugh, especially someone who’s been down or upset.
Example:
È davvero abbattuto, poverino. Negli ultimi mesi non glien’è andata bene una, tra lavoro, famiglia e amici… Per fortuna ha ancora il suo cane che ancora gli strappa un sorriso!
[He’s really down, poor thing. He’s had no luck lately with work, family, and friends… At least he still has his dog, who can still make him smile!]
8. Esilarante
Used for things that are so funny that they make you laugh out loud, hilarious.
Example:
Non ho mai trovato le sue battute particolarmente esilaranti, però devo ammettere che oggi mi ha fatto divertire.
[I never found his jokes particularly hilarious, but I have to admit, today he made me laugh].
Buy our new book: “Parole Di Casa Mia: Un Viaggio Nei Colloquialismi Italiani“, and learn all the colloquial expressions to speak like a true native speaker!
If you want to learn vocabulary related to music as well, read the article dedicated to that topic.
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