hysterically
hysterically — 副詞
1. in a way that shows you have lost control of your emotions because of extreme fe
歇斯底里地
因極度恐懼或激動而失控地哭叫大笑
in a way that shows you have lost control of your emotions because of extreme fear, anger, excitement, or shock — often involving loud crying, screaming, or laughing that is hard to stop
When the fire alarm went off, several children began crying hysterically and ran toward the exit.
火災警報響起時，好幾個孩子開始歇斯底里地大哭，朝出口跑去。
collocation: cry / scream / sob hysterically
Elena laughed so hysterically at the joke that her colleagues had to pause the meeting.
Elena 被那個笑話逗得歇斯底里大笑，同事們不得不暫停會議。
collocation: laugh hysterically
- frantically
focuses on hurried, anxious movement rather than emotional outburst
- wildly
more general; can describe any uncontrolled action, not just emotional
- uncontrollably
broader in meaning; can describe physical actions like shaking, not just emotional reactions
- calmly
the opposite of acting with panic or strong emotion
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs of strong emotional reaction: cry, scream, sob, laugh, shout. In formal writing, alternatives like 'in a state of panic' or 'uncontrollably' are more common.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe something that is so funny it causes a very strong reaction, su
極好笑地
極其好笑、令人笑得停不下來
used to describe something that is so funny it causes a very strong reaction, such as loud or uncontrollable laughter
The comedy sketch on Saturday night was hysterically funny — everyone in the theatre was in tears.
週六晚上的喜劇短劇極其好笑——劇院裡每個人都笑出了眼淚。
almost always modifies the adjective 'funny'
Tariq told a story about his first cooking attempt that was hysterically funny.
Tariq 講了一個他第一次做飯的故事，超級好笑。
- hilariously
neutral register; 'hilariously funny' is a common alternative
- uproariously
more formal or literary; suggests the audience was very noisy with laughter
用法筆記
In this sense, 'hysterically' almost always modifies the adjective 'funny'. The phrase 'hysterically funny' is a fixed collocation. Other combinations (e.g. 'hysterically amusing') are rare.
常見錯誤
hysterically — 形容詞
1. connected with hysteria — a medical or psychological condition in which a person
歇斯底里的
與歇斯底里症相關的醫學或心理症狀
connected with hysteria — a medical or psychological condition in which a person experiences strong, uncontrollable emotions or physical symptoms without a clear physical cause
The doctor noted that the patient's symptoms were classified as a hysterical disorder.
醫生指出該患者的症狀被歸類為歇斯底里症。
technical/medical register
Chitra read about cases of hysterical blindness in her psychology textbook.
Chitra 在她的心理學課本中讀到了一些歇斯底里性失明的案例。
- psychosomatic
specifically describes physical symptoms caused by mental factors
- conversion
technical term for symptoms like blindness or paralysis with no organic cause
用法筆記
This is a clinical or technical sense. In everyday conversation, the 'out-of-control emotion' sense (adjective sense 2) is far more common. Modern psychology rarely uses 'hysterical' as a formal diagnosis.
2. showing extreme, loud, and uncontrolled emotions — for example, crying, screamin
情緒失控的
極度激動而大哭大叫等失控行為
showing extreme, loud, and uncontrolled emotions — for example, crying, screaming, shouting, or laughing in a way that others see as excessive
The mother became hysterical when she could not find her daughter in the crowded market.
那位母親在擁擠的市場裡找不到女兒時，變得情緒失控。
pattern: become + hysterical
Diego's grandfather got hysterical during the argument and started throwing cushions at the wall.
Diego 的祖父在爭吵中情緒失控，開始朝牆壁扔靠墊。
collocation: get hysterical
- frantic
suggests wild behaviour from worry or fear, but less intense than 'hysterical'
- frenzied
implies a more active, agitated state rather than crying or sobbing
- beside oneself
idiomatic; suggests being overcome with emotion but can be used for positive emotions too
用法筆記
Describes an outward display of emotion that others can see or hear, not an internal feeling. Compare 'she felt panicked' (internal) with 'she became hysterical' (outward behaviour). Often used in news reports about people reacting to accidents, disasters, or shocking events.
常見錯誤
3. extremely amusing; causing people to laugh very loudly and for a long time
非常好笑
極其可笑、令人捧腹大笑
extremely amusing; causing people to laugh very loudly and for a long time
The video of the cat chasing its own reflection was absolutely hysterical.
那隻貓追自己倒影的影片超級好笑。
intensifying collocations: absolutely / completely hysterical
Zahra's impression of the singing teacher was so hysterical that the whole class could not stop laughing.
Zahra 模仿唱歌老師的樣子非常好笑，全班同學都笑個不停。
- hilarious
the standard neutral synonym; 'hysterical' feels slightly stronger and more informal
- side-splitting
more vivid but less common; suggests laughing until it hurts
- priceless
informal; also implies the situation is memorable or perfect
用法筆記
Common in informal conversation, especially among younger speakers. In more formal writing, alternatives like 'hilarious', 'side-splitting', or 'uproarious' are more typical.