chiste
/CHEE-stay/
joke
When chiste means joke, it refers to a funny story or remark designed to make people laugh.
chiste(noun)
joke
?a funny story or remark
,gag
?a short piece of humor
jest
?formal or literary synonym for joke
📝 In Action
Mi tío siempre cuenta el mismo chiste en Navidad.
A1My uncle always tells the same joke at Christmas.
¿Entendiste el chiste? Necesitas un buen sentido del humor.
A2Did you get the joke? You need a good sense of humor.
No pude parar de reír con ese chiste tan bueno.
A2I couldn't stop laughing at that great joke.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Alert
Even though 'chiste' ends in -e, it is a masculine word. Always use 'el chiste' or 'un chiste'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Telling vs. Saying
Mistake: "Decir un chiste."
Correction: Contar un chiste. In Spanish, you 'count' or 'tell' a joke, you don't 'say' it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Responding to a Joke
To say something is very funny, you can say '¡Qué chistoso!' or '¡Qué gracioso!'
In some contexts, chiste can mean the point or the main idea of a matter.
chiste(noun)
point
?the main idea or purpose
,trick
?the secret or clever part
fun
?the amusement or entertainment factor
📝 In Action
No le veo el chiste a esperar en la fila por dos horas.
B2I don't see the point in waiting in line for two hours.
¿Cuál es el chiste de la nueva política de la empresa?
C1What is the trick/point of the company's new policy?
La comida era buena, pero el ambiente no tenía chiste.
B2The food was good, but the atmosphere was boring/lacked flair.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'chiste' often appears with the verb 'ver' (to see) or 'tener' (to have), usually in the negative or a question, to express a lack of purpose or fun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Boredom
Saying something 'no tiene chiste' is a common, friendly way to express that you find an activity dull or uninteresting.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: chiste
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'chiste' to mean 'the main point or trick'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'chiste' masculine if it ends in -e?
Spanish noun gender is not always predictable by the ending. While many nouns ending in -e are feminine, 'chiste' is firmly masculine. You simply must memorize it as 'el chiste,' just like 'el coche' (car) or 'el parque' (park).
Is 'chiste' the same as 'broma'?
They are similar but different. 'Chiste' is usually a verbal joke or a short, funny story. 'Broma' is typically a practical joke, a prank, or a lighthearted tease (like 'estar de broma').