der  Lacher

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlaxɐ/

😂 What does "der Lacher" mean?

Der Lacher (masculine) is a noun referring to two main concepts:

• A single burst of laughter or the sound of laughing: When someone laughs suddenly, this sound or moment can be called ein Lacher. It describes an audible reaction to something funny.
• Something that causes laughter (a joke, a funny situation): Ein Lacher can also be a successful joke, a funny remark, or an unexpectedly comical situation that makes the audience laugh. You often hear phrases like "Das war der Lacher des Abends" (That was the biggest laugh/joke of the evening).

⚠️ Important Note: Although "der Lacher" comes from the verb "lachen" (to laugh), it usually does not refer to the person who is laughing (that would more likely be der Lachende). It refers to the laugh itself or its cause.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Lacher" in Detail

The noun "Lacher" is masculine. It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Sein Kommentar sorgte für einen lauten Lacher im Publikum. (His comment caused a loud laugh in the audience. - Refers to the sound/reaction)
2. Der Komiker erzählte einen guten Lacher nach dem anderen. (The comedian told one good gag/joke after another. - Refers to the jokes)
3. Mit diesem Kostüm hatte er die Lacher auf seiner Seite. (With this costume, he had the audience laughing / he got the laughs. - Means people found him funny/laughed at him)
4. Ein herzhafter Lacher kann sehr befreiend sein. (A hearty laugh can be very liberating. - Refers to the laugh itself)

💬 How to use "Lacher"?

"Der Lacher" is often used in contexts related to humor, entertainment, and social reactions.

• In entertainment: Comedians and speakers often try "Lacher zu ernten" (to get laughs) or "die Lacher auf ihrer Seite zu haben" (to have the audience laughing with/at them). A good joke is called "ein guter Lacher".
• Describing a reaction: One can hear "einen lauten Lacher" (a loud laugh), "einen herzhaften Lacher" (a hearty laugh), or "einen kurzen Lacher" (a short laugh).
• Distinction from "das Lachen": While "der Lacher" describes a specific instance or cause of laughter, "das Lachen" is more general and refers to the act or sound of laughing itself (e.g., "Das Lachen ist gesund." - Laughing is healthy.).
• Fixed expressions: "Für einen Lacher sorgen" (to cause a laugh, do/say something funny), "die Lacher auf seiner Seite haben" (to be laughed at/found funny by others).

💡 Mnemonics for "der Lacher"

For the article 'der': Think of der joker (masculine association) who tells a joke that gets a big Lacher. Or imagine a dervish whirling and laughing – a slightly odd image, but maybe memorable!

For the meaning: A Lacher sounds a bit like 'lark' (a fun activity) or 'locker' (a relaxed laugh). It's the sound (-er) you make, or the jok(-er) that causes it.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential Confusion:

• Das Lachen: Refers to the general act of laughing, not a single instance or a joke. (e.g., "Das Lachen ist ansteckend." - Laughter is contagious.)
• Der Lachende / Die Lachende: Refers to the person who is laughing.

😄 A little Lacher for you

German: Warum tragen Skelette keine Hosen?

Weil sie keine Hosenträger haben!

English Translation: Why don't skeletons wear pants?

Because they don't have suspenders! (Okay, it's a bit corny, but maybe good for a small Lacher? 😉)

✍️ Poem about Lacher

German:
Ein Witz erzählt, die Spannung steigt,
die Pointe sitzt, die Menge schweigt.
Dann bricht's hervor, so laut und klar,
der erste Lacher, wunderbar!

Er zündet an, steckt andre an,
ein Meer aus Freude, nebenan.
Ein guter Lacher, leicht und frei,
macht Sorgen klein und kurz dabei.

English Translation:
A joke is told, the tension mounts,
The punchline lands, the crowd recounts...
In silence first, then loud and clear,
The first Lacher, banishing fear!

It sparks the next, ignites the rest,
A sea of joy, put to the test.
A good Lacher, light and free,
Makes worries small for you and me.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin ein Geräusch, doch keine Musik.
Ich komme vom Witz, vom lustigen Stück.
Man erntet mich gern, wenn die Pointe gut war.
Ich bin maskulin, das ist sonnenklar.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: der Lacher

English Translation:
I am a sound, but not music you hear.
I come from a joke, or something funny, my dear.
You like to 'harvest' me when the punchline was smart.
I'm masculine, that's clear right from the start.

What am I?

Solution: der Lacher (the laugh/gag)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "der Lacher" is derived (substantivized) from the verb "lachen" (to laugh). The suffix "-er" is used here to denote the result or specific instance of the action (similar to "der Läufer" from "laufen", although there it means the person acting – here it's more the event/result).

Cultural Significance (Kulturelle Bedeutung):

Humor and shared laughter play an important social role in German culture (as in many others). A "guter Lacher" (a good laugh/joke) can build connections and relieve tension.