A colorful storybook illustration showing two cartoon characters, one covering their mouth trying not to laugh, and the other character smiling widely after having played a playful trick.

broma

/BRO-mah/

NounfA2

joke?something said or done to be funny

Also:prank?a playful trick,jest?a thing said or done for amusement

📝 In Action

Solo era una broma, no te enfades.

It was just a joke, don't get angry.

Le gastamos una broma a nuestro profesor por su cumpleaños.

We played a prank on our teacher for his birthday.

¿Lo dices en serio o es una broma?

Are you serious or is it a joke?

Tiene un gran sentido del humor y siempre está de broma.

He has a great sense of humor and is always joking.

Word Connections

Synonyms

chiste (joke (a told story))
guasa (jest, kidding (informal))
chanza (jest, banter)

Antonyms

seriedad (seriousness)

Common Collocations

gastar una broma – to play a prank/joke
tomar algo a broma – to take something as a joke
estar de broma – to be joking/kidding
aguantar una broma – to take a joke

Idioms & Expressions

broma pesada – a mean or unpleasant prank
¡Ni en broma! – No way! / You must be kidding!
Fuera de bromas... – Joking aside... / All kidding aside...

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine: 'la broma'

'Broma' is a feminine word, so you always use feminine words like 'la', 'una', 'esta', or 'mucha' with it. For example, 'una broma buena' (a good joke).

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Broma' vs. 'Chiste'

Mistake: "Quiero decirte una broma."

Correction: Quiero contarte un chiste. A 'chiste' is a structured joke you tell, like a 'knock-knock' joke. A 'broma' is more general and can be a situation, a comment, or a prank.

⭐ Usage Tips

Saying 'Just Kidding'

To let someone know you're not being serious, you can simply say '¡Es broma!' which is like saying 'It's a joke!' or 'Just kidding!'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: broma

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'broma' most naturally?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

bromear(to joke, to kid) - verb

bromista(joker, prankster) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'broma' and 'chiste'?

Think of a 'chiste' as a joke you tell, with a setup and a punchline. A 'broma' is much broader. It can be a playful comment, a situation that's funny, or a physical prank you play on someone. You 'tell' (contar) a 'chiste', but you 'play' (gastar) a 'broma'.

How do I say someone can't take a joke?

You can say 'No aguanta las bromas' or 'No sabe aguantar una broma'. It literally means 'He/she can't withstand jokes'.