gargalhada

Gargalhada is a feminine noun in Portuguese that refers to a loud, boisterous and often prolonged laugh, typically audible and accompanied by vocalization. It can describe both the act of laughing loudly and the sound produced.

The word is derived from the verb gargalhar, which imitates the sound associated with throat resonance and laughter. Its precise historical origins are not always clear, but it is generally linked to onomatopoeic roots from older Romance languages and to the notion of a vigorous throat sound.

In use, gargalhada is common in both Brazilian and European Portuguese. It denotes a particularly intense or contagious laugh and can appear in expressions such as “uma gargalhada estrondosa” or “uma gargalhada contagiante.” The construction “dar gargalhadas” means to burst into loud laughter. The term tends to be informal and expressive, frequently found in everyday speech, journalism, and literature to convey vivid amusement or reaction.

Related terms and variations include “risada” (more neutral or general laughter) and “risada alta” (loud laugh). While gargalhar is the corresponding verb, it emphasizes the audible, forceful aspect of laughter rather than just smiling or chuckling.