That's funny
in SpanishQué gracioso
/keh grah-see-OH-soh/
This is the most direct and widely understood way to say 'That's funny.' It works for jokes, amusing situations, or funny stories and can be used in almost any context.
When a friend's story is so good you can't help but laugh, that's the perfect time to exclaim '¡Qué gracioso!' or '¡Me muero de la risa!'
💬Other Ways to Say It
Qué chistoso
/keh chees-TOH-soh/
Extremely common in Latin America, especially Mexico, this is a perfect equivalent to 'Qué gracioso.' 'Chiste' means 'joke,' so this literally means 'how jokey.'
Es gracioso / Es chistoso
/ehs grah-see-OH-soh/
These are the full-sentence versions, meaning 'It is funny.' They are slightly more declarative and less of an exclamation than the 'Qué...' versions.
¡Qué risa!
/keh REE-sah/
Literally 'What a laugh!', this is a very natural and common exclamation when something makes you laugh out loud. It's pure, spontaneous reaction.
Me da risa
/meh dah REE-sah/
This translates to 'It gives me laughter' or 'It makes me laugh.' It's a great way to express that something is amusing to you personally.
Me parto (de risa)
/meh PAR-toh (deh REE-sah)/
A very colloquial expression from Spain that means 'I'm splitting (with laughter).' It's a slangy way to say something is hysterical.
Qué cómico
/keh KOH-mee-koh/
Meaning 'How comical,' this is a slightly more detached or even intellectual way to say something is funny. It can sometimes sound a bit more formal or old-fashioned depending on the context.
Tiene gracia
/tee-EH-neh GRAH-see-ah/
Literally 'It has grace/wit,' this is a very common way in Spain to say something is funny, clever, or amusing. The negative, 'No tiene gracia,' means 'That's not funny' and is very direct.
Qué cura
/keh KOO-rah/
This is slang from northern Mexico that means something is hilarious or a lot of fun. 'Cura' here has nothing to do with 'cure' or 'priest.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to choosing the best phrase for 'that's funny' based on context and region.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qué gracioso | Neutral | A universal, safe bet for any funny situation, joke, or story. | Never! It's always a good option. |
| Qué chistoso | Neutral | Reacting to jokes and funny comments in Latin America, especially Mexico. | In Spain, where 'gracioso' is much more common. |
| ¡Qué risa! | Informal | A spontaneous, genuine laugh among friends. Perfect for something truly hilarious. | In formal settings or when you're just mildly amused. |
| Me parto | Very Informal | Expressing that something is hysterical with young people or close friends in Spain. | Outside of Spain, or with older people, strangers, or in any formal context. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'g' in 'gracioso' is soft, and the 'ch' in 'chistoso' is like the English 'ch.' The main challenge is the rolled 'r' in 'risa.'
The main grammar point is remembering to match the gender (gracioso/graciosa). Otherwise, the structures are simple.
Humor is highly cultural. Understanding regional slang, sarcasm, and the subtle difference between 'gracioso' and 'divertido' requires context and experience.
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between 'gracioso' (funny) and 'divertido' (fun).
- Recognizing sarcastic tone.
- Knowing which regional variation to use.
💡Examples in Action
Mi perro se persigue la cola por diez minutos. — ¡Jaja, qué gracioso!
My dog chases his tail for ten minutes. — Haha, that's funny!
Contó un chiste malísimo, pero su cara era tan seria que me dio mucha risa.
He told a terrible joke, but his face was so serious that it made me laugh a lot.
Intenté hablar francés y terminé pidiendo un zapato en lugar de un vaso de vino. — ¡Me parto! ¿En serio?
I tried to speak French and ended up asking for a shoe instead of a glass of wine. — I'm cracking up! Really?
El final de la película fue inesperado y bastante chistoso.
The end of the movie was unexpected and quite funny.
🌍Cultural Context
Humor is Hyper-Regional
What's considered hilarious in Argentina might get a blank stare in Spain. Mexican humor, known for its double entendres ('albures'), is very different from the more direct, often sarcastic humor found in Spain. When in doubt, 'Qué gracioso' is your safest bet.
The Power of Sarcasm
Just like in English, tone is everything. Saying 'Qué gracioso' with a flat tone and a straight face means 'That's not funny at all' or 'Oh, hilarious.' This type of irony is very common, so pay close attention to delivery.
Funny vs. Fun
Spanish makes a clearer distinction than English between 'funny' (ha-ha) and 'fun' (enjoyable). 'Gracioso' or 'chistoso' is for something that makes you laugh. 'Divertido' is for something you enjoy, like a party, a game, or a trip. A party can be 'divertida' (fun) but probably not 'graciosa' (funny), unless something comical happens.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Funny' with 'Fun'
Mistake: "Saying 'El parque de diversiones fue muy gracioso.'"
Correction: El parque de diversiones fue muy divertido.
Mixing up 'Gracioso' and 'Gratis'
Mistake: "Thinking 'gracioso' is related to 'gratis' (free)."
Correction: 'Gracioso' means funny; 'gratis' means free of charge.
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "La película fue muy gracioso."
Correction: La película fue muy graciosa.
Using 'Funny' for 'Strange'
Mistake: "Saying 'Eso huele gracioso.' to mean 'That smells strange.'"
Correction: Eso huele raro / extraño.
💡Pro Tips
Match the Gender
Always remember to match 'gracioso/a' or 'chistoso/a' to the thing you're talking about. If a girl (una chica) is funny, she is 'graciosa.' If a joke (un chiste) is funny, it is 'gracioso.'
Intensify Your Reaction
To say something is 'very funny' or 'hilarious,' you can add 'muy' before it (muy gracioso). For extra emphasis, you can use the absolute superlative: '¡graciosísimo!' or '¡chistosísimo!'
Learn the Negative
To say 'That's not funny,' the most direct phrase is 'No es gracioso.' In Spain, you'll also hear 'No tiene gracia' very frequently, which is a bit more pointed.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards often use 'Tiene gracia' to comment on something wittily funny. The use of 'Me parto' is a hallmark of informal, colloquial speech, especially among younger generations. Sarcasm is also very common.
Mexico
'Qué chistoso' is king in Mexico. The slang 'qué cura' (especially in the north) or 'está botana' (more central) are very informal ways to say something is hilarious. Mexican humor often involves wordplay and double meanings ('albures').
Argentina
While 'qué gracioso' is standard, the informal expressions are very colorful. 'Es un cago de risa' (literally 'it's a shit of laughter') means it's hysterical. 'Qué hdp' is an abbreviation for 'qué hijo de puta' but can be used affectionately between friends to mean something is wickedly funny.
Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
'Qué cómico' is used with very high frequency here, often more than 'qué gracioso.' The humor is often lively, expressive, and part of everyday rapid-fire conversation.
📱Texting & Social Media
ja ja ja (sound of laughter)
Universal in texts, WhatsApp, social media comments. The more 'ja's, the funnier it is.
Viste el video del gato? jajajaja
Did you see the video of the cat? hahaha
je je je / ji ji ji
'Jejeje' can imply a mischievous or nerdy laugh, while 'jijiji' often suggests a cute or silly giggle.
Te escondí el chocolate jejeje
I hid your chocolate hehehe
💬What Comes Next?
After you say something is funny
¿Verdad que sí?
It is, right?
Sí, me reí mucho.
Yes, I laughed a lot.
After someone tells a joke
¿Te gustó el chiste?
Did you like the joke?
¡Sí, estuvo buenísimo!
Yes, it was great!
Continuing the conversation about the funny topic
Y eso no es todo...
And that's not all...
A ver, cuéntame más.
Let's see, tell me more.
🧠Memory Tricks
This directly links the adjective 'chistoso' to its root noun 'chiste' (joke), making it easy to remember it means 'funny' in a joke-like way.
While the etymology is related, thinking of a comedian's 'grace' in telling a joke can help you remember that 'gracioso' is about humor and wit.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is that English uses 'funny' for two separate meanings: 'ha-ha funny' and 'strange/weird funny.' Spanish splits these completely. 'Gracioso/Chistoso' is ONLY for 'ha-ha funny.' For 'strange funny,' you must use 'raro' or 'extraño.' This distinction is non-negotiable in Spanish and a common pitfall for learners.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this as 'Mi estómago se siente gracioso' would mean 'My stomach feels comical/amusing,' which makes no sense.
Use instead: You should say 'Mi estómago se siente raro' or 'Me siento mal del estómago' (I feel sick to my stomach).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I'm joking' in Spanish
This is the perfect way to clarify your intention after making a funny or sarcastic comment.
How to say 'That's interesting' in Spanish
It's another common reaction in conversation, useful for when something isn't funny but still catches your attention.
How to say 'That's not funny' in Spanish
Knowing how to express the opposite is crucial for setting boundaries or reacting to an inappropriate joke.
How to say 'You're crazy' in Spanish
Often said affectionately after a friend does or says something wild and funny.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: That's funny
Question 1 of 3
You went to an amusement park and had a great time. How would you describe the experience?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between 'gracioso' and 'chistoso'?
Functionally, they mean the same thing: 'funny.' The main difference is regional. 'Gracioso' is understood everywhere but is the preferred term in Spain. 'Chistoso' is the go-to word in most of Latin America, especially Mexico. You can't go wrong with either, but using the local term will make you sound more natural.
How do I say 'that's NOT funny' in Spanish?
The most direct way is 'No es gracioso.' In Spain, it's also very common to say 'No tiene gracia,' which can sound a bit more dismissive. Both clearly communicate that you don't find the situation or joke amusing.
When do I use 'gracioso' vs. 'graciosa'?
It depends on the gender of the noun you're describing. If you're talking about a masculine noun like 'un chiste' (a joke), you use 'gracioso.' If it's a feminine noun like 'una película' (a movie), you use 'graciosa.' For a general situation, you typically default to the masculine 'gracioso'.
Can 'Qué gracioso' be used sarcastically?
Absolutely. Just like 'That's hilarious' in English, saying 'Qué gracioso' with a flat tone or an eye-roll means the exact opposite. It's a very common way to express that you think something is not funny at all, or that you're annoyed.
What's the difference between '¡Qué risa!' and 'Me da risa'?
'¡Qué risa!' (What a laugh!) is an exclamation you shout out in the moment when you're laughing. 'Me da risa' (It makes me laugh) is more of a statement describing your reaction. The first is pure reaction, the second is a description of that reaction.
How do you type laughter in Spanish texts?
The standard is 'jajaja'. The 'j' in Spanish is pronounced like the English 'h', so it directly represents the sound of laughing. You can also see 'jejeje' (for a mischievous laugh) or 'jijiji' (for a giggle).
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