You're kidding
in Spanish¿Bromeas?
/broh-MEH-ahs/
This is the most direct and widely understood way to say 'Are you kidding?' or 'Kidding?'. It comes from the verb 'bromear,' which means 'to joke'.
Expressing disbelief is a common part of everyday conversation. Phrases like '¿Bromeas?' or '¿En serio?' are perfect for these moments.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿En serio?
/en SEH-ree-oh/
Literally 'Seriously?', this is an extremely common way to express disbelief or surprise. It's a safe and versatile option in almost any context.
¡No me digas!
/noh meh DEE-gahs/
This translates to 'Don't tell me!' but is used like 'You don't say!' or 'No way!'. It expresses strong surprise and is used constantly in conversation.
¿Estás bromeando?
/ehs-TAHS broh-meh-AHN-doh/
This is the full version of '¿Bromeas?', meaning 'Are you kidding?'. It's just as common and understood everywhere, maybe slightly more emphatic.
¡Venga ya!
/BEN-gah yah/
A classic expression from Spain that means 'Come on!', 'Get out of here!', or 'No way!'. It's packed with disbelief and is a hallmark of colloquial Spanish from Spain.
¿Me estás tomando el pelo?
/meh ehs-TAHS toh-MAHN-doh el PEH-loh/
This is the Spanish equivalent of 'Are you pulling my leg?'. It's a colorful and common idiom, especially well-known in Spain.
¡No mames!
/noh MAH-mehs/
This is extremely common Mexican slang for 'No way!', 'You're kidding!', or something stronger. It's considered vulgar, so be very careful with its use.
¿Me estás cargando?
/meh ehs-TAHS car-GAHN-doh/
The go-to phrase in the Río de la Plata region (Argentina and Uruguay) for 'Are you kidding me?' or 'Are you messing with me?'.
¡No jodas!
/noh HOH-dahs/
Similar to '¡No mames!', this is a vulgar expression used across many Spanish-speaking regions. It's like saying 'No f***ing way!' or 'Get the f*** out!'.
¿Es joda?
/es HOH-dah/
A very common, slangy way to ask 'Is this a joke?' or 'Are you for real?' in Argentina. It's informal but not as strong as '¡No jodas!'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
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📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick comparison of the most common, safe-to-use variations to help you choose the right one.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Bromeas? | Informal | Directly asking 'Are you kidding?' in casual, friendly situations. | In very formal business or official settings; '¿En serio?' is safer. |
| ¿En serio? | Neutral | Almost any situation. It's the most versatile and safe way to express disbelief. | It's never really wrong, but can sound a bit plain if you want to be more expressive with friends. |
| ¡No me digas! | Neutral | Reacting with high energy to surprising news or gossip. | When you need to sound very serious or professional; it can be a bit dramatic. |
| ¡Venga ya! (Spain) | Informal | Sounding like a local in casual conversations in Spain. | Outside of Spain (where it won't be understood) or in formal contexts. |
| ¿Me estás cargando? (Arg.) | Informal | Chatting with friends from Argentina or Uruguay. | In other countries, where '¿Bromeas?' is more common. |
📈Difficulty Level
The sounds are generally straightforward for English speakers. The main challenge is the rolled 'r' in 'serio' or 'cargar', but it's manageable.
These are mostly fixed phrases, so you don't need to worry about complex grammar. You just need to memorize them as chunks.
This is the hardest part. Knowing which phrase is appropriate for which region, formality level, and social group is crucial and takes time to learn.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the correct regional variation.
- Understanding the subtle difference between casual, informal, and vulgar slang.
- Matching your tone and body language to the expression.
💡Examples in Action
—Me voy a mudar a Japón. —¡No me digas! ¿En serio?
—I'm going to move to Japan. —No way! Seriously?
—El jefe dice que tenemos que trabajar el sábado. —¿Bromeas? Eso no es justo.
—The boss says we have to work on Saturday. —Are you kidding? That's not fair.
—Che, perdí las entradas para el partido. —¿Me estás cargando? ¡Decime que es una joda!
—Dude, I lost the tickets for the game. —Are you kidding me? Tell me it's a joke!
—He ganado la lotería. —¡Venga ya! No te creo.
—I've won the lottery. —Get out of here! I don't believe you.
🌍Cultural Context
Tone is Everything
How you say these phrases is just as important as the words you choose. A wide-eyed, high-pitched '¿En serio?' shows genuine shock, while a flat, skeptical tone implies you think the other person is lying. Your expression and tone of voice carry most of the meaning.
Slang as a Regional Badge
Using the right regional slang is a fast way to connect with locals. An Argentine will smile if you say '¿Me estás cargando?', and a Spaniard will know you've spent time in their country if '¡Venga ya!' comes out naturally. These phrases are like local passwords.
The 'Grosería' Line
Phrases like '¡No mames!' and '¡No jodas!' are 'groserías' (vulgarities). While extremely common in some circles, they can be genuinely offensive in others. Unlike in English where some swear words have become mainstream, it's best to avoid these until you have a very strong grasp of the social context.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation
Mistake: "Saying '¿Estás niñando?' or '¿Estás chicando?' by trying to translate 'kidding' directly."
Correction: Use an idiomatic phrase like '¿Bromeas?' or '¿Estás bromeando?'.
Using Strong Slang in the Wrong Place
Mistake: "Using '¡No mames!' with your boss or your partner's parents in Mexico."
Correction: In any formal or respectful situation, stick to '¿En serio?' or '¡No me digas!'.
Mixing Up Regions
Mistake: "Using '¡Venga ya!' in Argentina or '¿Me estás cargando?' in Spain."
Correction: Try to match the expression to the region you're in.
💡Pro Tips
Start with the Safest Options
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with '¿En serio?' or '¿Bromeas?'. They are universally understood, neutral, and appropriate for almost any situation. Master these before you start experimenting with regional slang.
Listen and Mimic
The best way to learn which phrase to use is by listening to native speakers. Pay attention to what they say in movies, on TV, and in real life. When you hear a friend use a certain expression, try using it back in a similar situation.
Combine for Emphasis
It's very natural to string these phrases together for extra emphasis. For example, '¿Qué? ¡No me digas! ¿En serio?' ('What? No way! Seriously?'). This shows a high level of surprise.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards use '¡Venga ya!' and '¡Anda ya!' with great frequency and expression to convey disbelief. They are hallmarks of colloquial Spanish from Spain and are used much more often than a simple '¿Bromeas?'.
Mexico
'¡No mames!' is iconic Mexican slang, but it's vulgar. Its slightly softer cousin, '¡No manches!', is used more widely. '¿Es neta?' ('Is that for real?') is also extremely common informal slang.
Argentina / Uruguay
The verb 'cargar' is the standard way to mean 'to tease' or 'to kid' someone. 'Joda' means joke/messing around, and is central to informal speech. The use of 'che' is also a distinct feature.
Colombia
The expression 'mamar gallo' is uniquely Colombian for 'to pull someone's leg' or 'to joke around'. It's very colloquial and widely used. They also tend to use the formal 'usted' form more often, even with friends, so you might hear '¿Usted me está mamando gallo?' or '¡No me diga!'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you express disbelief, they confirm it's true.
Sí, te lo juro. Es en serio.
Yes, I swear. It's serious.
¡Wow, no lo puedo creer!
Wow, I can't believe it!
After you react, they admit they were joking.
¡Jaja, claro que bromeo! ¡Caíste!
Haha, of course I'm kidding! You fell for it!
¡Uf, qué susto me diste!
Phew, you scared me!
You ask '¿En serio?' and they want to provide more details.
De verdad. Mira, te cuento...
For real. Look, I'll tell you...
A ver, cuéntamelo todo.
Okay, tell me everything.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the sound of 'Bromeas' to a memorable, funny scenario, making it easier to recall.
This mnemonic links the literal meaning of the words to the idiomatic meaning ('pulling my leg'), creating a strong visual anchor for the phrase.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'You're kidding' and 'Seriously?' are almost universally understood and used. In Spanish, while '¿Bromeas?' and '¿En serio?' are universal, the most natural and common expressions are often highly regional (e.g., '¡Venga ya!' in Spain, '¿Me estás cargando?' in Argentina). The range and creativity of informal slang for this concept are much wider in Spanish.
Spanish expressions can feel more direct or intense than in English. Phrases like '¡No me digas!' or '¡Venga ya!' are exclaimed with more energy than a simple 'You're kidding'. The slang versions ('¡No mames!', '¡No jodas!') are also much more direct and forceful than most English equivalents.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: The English verb 'to kid' is idiomatic. You cannot translate it literally with words related to 'child' (niño/chico).
Use instead: The correct Spanish verb is 'bromear' (to joke). So instead of a direct translation, you use phrases like 'Estoy bromeando' (I'm kidding/joking).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'No way' in Spanish
This is a common reaction that often follows after you realize someone isn't kidding.
How to say 'I'm just kidding' in Spanish
This is the other side of the conversation, allowing you to be the one who is joking.
How to express surprise in Spanish
'You're kidding' is a specific type of surprise. Learning broader phrases like '¡Qué sorpresa!' will expand your emotional vocabulary.
How to say 'Seriously?' in Spanish
This phrase is a core component of expressing disbelief and is one of the most useful variations to master.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: You're kidding
Question 1 of 4
You're in Madrid with friends and someone tells you they saw a famous celebrity. What is a very common and natural Spanish expression to show your disbelief?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between '¿Bromeas?' and '¿Estás bromeando?'
There's almost no difference in meaning, just like 'Kidding?' vs. 'Are you kidding?'. '¿Estás bromeando?' is the full grammatical sentence, while '¿Bromeas?' is a more direct, common shortcut. You can use them interchangeably in casual conversation.
Is '¡No mames!' always a bad word in Mexico?
It's considered vulgar slang, but its impact depends entirely on context. Among close young friends, it's used constantly with little to no shock value. However, said to an elder, a stranger, or in a professional setting, it would be highly inappropriate and offensive. When in doubt, don't use it.
Can I use '¿Me estás tomando el pelo?' in Latin America?
People will likely understand it because of movies and TV shows from Spain, but it will sound distinctly Spanish. It's not a phrase that's naturally used in most of Latin America. It's better to stick to a universal option like '¿En serio?' or the local variant if you know it.
How do I say 'I'm just kidding' back to someone?
The most common ways are 'Estoy bromeando' ('I'm joking') or simply 'Es broma' ('It's a joke'). You could also say 'Solo bromeaba' ('I was just kidding').
Is there a formal way to say 'You must be joking'?
In a very formal context, like business, you might not use a direct equivalent. Instead, you'd express polite disbelief, perhaps with '¿Habla en serio?' ('Are you speaking seriously?') or 'Disculpe, pero me parece increíble' ('Excuse me, but that seems incredible to me').
What's the difference between '¡No me digas!' and '¿En serio?'
'¿En serio?' is more of a question seeking confirmation ('Is that really true?'). '¡No me digas!' is more of an exclamation of pure surprise ('Wow, I can't believe what I'm hearing!'). They are often used together: '¡No me digas! ¿En serio?'
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