Inklingo

How to Say "joke" in Spanish

English → Spanish

chiste

/CHEE-stay//ˈt͡ʃiste/

nounA1
Use 'chiste' when referring to a specific, usually short, funny story or a punchline intended to make someone laugh.
A simple storybook illustration showing two friendly characters. One is animatedly telling a story using wide hand gestures, while the other character is bent over, laughing heartily.

Examples

Mi tío siempre cuenta el mismo chiste en Navidad.

My uncle always tells the same joke at Christmas.

¿Entendiste el chiste? Necesitas un buen sentido del humor.

Did you get the joke? You need a good sense of humor.

No pude parar de reír con ese chiste tan bueno.

I couldn't stop laughing at that great joke.

Gender Alert

Even though 'chiste' ends in -e, it is a masculine word. Always use 'el chiste' or 'un chiste'.

Telling vs. Saying

Mistake: “Decir un chiste.”

Correction: Contar un chiste. In Spanish, you 'count' or 'tell' a joke, you don't 'say' it.

broma

/BRO-mah//ˈbɾoma/

nounA2
Use 'broma' for a prank, a practical joke, or something done or said in jest that might cause minor annoyance.
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.

Examples

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?

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).

'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.

burla

/BOOR-lah//ˈbuɾla/

nounB1
Choose 'burla' when the 'joke' involves teasing, mockery, or making fun of someone or something, often in a slightly unkind way.
A character with a playful, mischievous expression pointing and laughing lightheartedly.

Examples

No me gustan sus burlas sobre mi ropa.

I don't like his jokes about my clothes.

Lo hizo en son de burla.

He did it in a mocking way.

Using the word with 'de'

When you want to say who or what you are making fun of, always use 'de' after the word burla.

Burla vs. Broma

Mistake: “Using 'burla' for a friendly prank.”

Correction: Use 'broma' for friendly jokes. 'Burla' often implies someone's feelings are being hurt or they are being humiliated.

coña

nounB2informal
Use 'coña' in informal contexts when someone is kidding, joking around, or saying something that shouldn't be taken seriously.

Examples

¿Lo dices en serio o estás de coña?

Are you serious or are you kidding?

Chiste vs. Broma

Learners often confuse 'chiste' and 'broma'. Remember, 'chiste' is for a funny story or punchline, while 'broma' is for a prank or an action intended to be funny but perhaps annoying.

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