Inklingo

How to Say "funny" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “funny” is “gracioso” — use this for someone or something that is generally amusing and makes people laugh, often through jokes or witty remarks.

gracioso🔊A2

Use this for someone or something that is generally amusing and makes people laugh, often through jokes or witty remarks.

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divertido🔊A1

This word describes an experience or person that is enjoyable, entertaining, and fun, rather than strictly humorous.

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chistoso🔊A1

Use this to describe someone or something that actively causes laughter, often in a lighthearted or playful manner.

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cómicoA2

This applies to something that is intentionally designed to be humorous or comical, often referring to performances or expressions.

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curioso🔊B1

Use this when 'funny' means strange, odd, or peculiar, especially when referring to coincidences or unusual situations.

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cagado🔊B2

This informal term describes something extremely hilarious or ridiculously amusing, often used among friends.

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English → Spanish

gracioso

grah-SYOH-sohɡɾaˈsjoso

adjectiveA2general
Use this for someone or something that is generally amusing and makes people laugh, often through jokes or witty remarks.
A colorful illustration of a person telling a joke on a small stage, causing two audience members to laugh hysterically.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy gracioso, siempre cuenta chistes.

My brother is very funny, he always tells jokes.

La película fue tan graciosa que no paré de reír.

The movie was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.

No te hagas el gracioso, esto es serio.

Don't try to be a comedian, this is serious.

Matching the Noun

Like most describing words in Spanish, 'gracioso' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'graciosa' for feminine things, 'graciosos' for masculine plural, and 'graciosas' for feminine plural. (e.g., 'una broma graciosa', 'unos niños graciosos').

Funny vs. Fun

Mistake: “La fiesta fue muy graciosa.”

Correction: La fiesta fue muy divertida. 'Gracioso' means 'funny' like a joke that makes you laugh. 'Divertido' means 'fun' or 'entertaining' like a party or a game.

divertido

dee-behr-TEE-dohdibeɾˈtido

adjectiveA1general
This word describes an experience or person that is enjoyable, entertaining, and fun, rather than strictly humorous.
A joyful young child with a wide smile is swinging high on a red swing set in a sunny, green park.

Examples

La película fue muy divertida.

The movie was very fun.

Mi amigo Pablo es muy divertido, siempre cuenta buenos chistes.

My friend Pablo is very funny, he always tells good jokes.

Tuvimos una fiesta divertida anoche.

We had a fun party last night.

Matching the Noun It Describes

This word must change its ending to agree with the person or thing it's describing. Use divertido for masculine things, divertida for feminine things, divertidos for plural masculine things, and divertidas for plural feminine things.

Using 'ser' (to be)

To say something is fun as a characteristic, you'll almost always use the verb ser. For example, 'El libro es divertido' (The book is fun) or 'Mis amigos son divertidos' (My friends are fun).

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: “La clase de español es muy divertido.”

Correction: La clase de español es muy divertid**a**. Because 'la clase' is a feminine word, the adjective needs to end in '-a' to match it.

chistoso

chees-TOH-sohtʃisˈtoso

adjectiveA1general
Use this to describe someone or something that actively causes laughter, often in a lighthearted or playful manner.
A colorful illustration of a friendly clown with a big red nose and a polka-dot bow tie, laughing heartily.

Examples

Mi abuelo es un hombre muy chistoso.

My grandfather is a very funny man.

Vimos una película chistosa ayer.

We watched a funny movie yesterday.

No es chistoso que te rías de él.

It's not funny for you to laugh at him.

Matching Gender

Like most adjectives ending in -o, you must change it to 'chistosa' if the person or thing you are describing is female or feminine.

Placement after the Noun

You usually place 'chistoso' after the thing you are describing, like saying 'un perro chistoso' (a funny dog).

Chistoso vs. Divertido

Mistake: “Saying 'El parque de atracciones es muy chistoso.'”

Correction: Use 'divertido' for 'fun' (having a good time) and 'chistoso' for 'funny' (making you laugh).

cómico

adjectiveA2general
This applies to something that is intentionally designed to be humorous or comical, often referring to performances or expressions.

Examples

Ese actor tiene un gesto muy cómico.

That actor has a very funny expression.

curioso

koo-ree-OH-sokuˈɾjo.so

adjectiveB1general
Use this when 'funny' means strange, odd, or peculiar, especially when referring to coincidences or unusual situations.
A perfectly square, bright red apple sitting on a wooden table next to several normal round apples, depicting something strange.

Examples

Es curioso que nos encontremos aquí, ¡es la tercera vez esta semana!

It's strange/odd that we run into each other here, it's the third time this week!

Había un ruido curioso en el motor del coche.

There was a strange noise in the car engine.

Me pasó una cosa curiosa ayer en el supermercado.

A peculiar thing happened to me yesterday at the supermarket.

Curious vs. Strange

When 'curioso' describes a situation or event (like 'it's strange that...'), it means unusual or surprising, not inquisitive.

Using 'Funny' for Humor

Mistake: “El chiste fue muy curioso.”

Correction: Use 'gracioso' or 'divertido' for something that makes you laugh. 'Curioso' implies strange, not humorous.

cagado

ka-gah-dohkaˈɣaðo

adjectiveB2informal
This informal term describes something extremely hilarious or ridiculously amusing, often used among friends.
A joyful person holding their stomach while laughing heartily.

Examples

Esa película está bien cagada, me reí muchísimo.

That movie is hilarious, I laughed so much.

Fue un momento muy cagado cuando se le cayó el pastel.

It was a really funny moment when he dropped the cake.

Tu primo es bien cagado, siempre cuenta buenos chistes.

Your cousin is really funny, he always tells good jokes.

Ser vs Estar for 'funny'

Use 'ser' if the person is naturally funny, but 'estar' if a specific situation or movie is funny.

Geographic confusion

Mistake: “Saying 'esto está cagado' in Spain to mean 'this is funny'.”

Correction: In Spain, people will think you mean 'this is covered in poop' or 'this is scary'. Keep this meaning for Mexico.

Gracioso vs. Divertido

Learners often confuse 'gracioso' and 'divertido.' Remember, 'gracioso' implies humor and making someone laugh, while 'divertido' means fun and enjoyable, like a pleasant activity or experience.

Related Translations

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