¿estás bromeando?
The phrase "are you joking?" is translated into Spanish as ¿estás bromeando?
This question is used to express disbelief or surprise when someone says something that seems unlikely to be true.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb estar (to be, in a continuous state) and the gerund bromeando (joking).
Which one should you use?
While ¿estás bromeando? focuses on the person's action, the alternative ¿es una broma? focuses on the situation or the statement itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase in a formal context, change the verb to the third-person singular form está to match the formal usted.
When do people say it?
A common idiomatic way to express the same sentiment is the colloquial phrase ¿me estás tomando el pelo?, which literally means "Are you taking my hair?"
Did you know?
- Using the verb ser instead of estar in the phrase ¿estás bromeando? would change the meaning from 'are you joking right now' to 'are you a joke as a person'.
- If you want to sound like a native in Spain, you might say ¿me estás vacilando? While 'vacilar' can mean to hesitate or waver, in many contexts it is used colloquially to mean 'to mock' or 'to mess with someone'.
- In many Latin American countries, you might hear the slang term ¿me estás jodiendo? Be careful, however, as this is much more vulgar and aggressive than the polite ¿estás bromeando?
Examples in context
- Dime la verdad, ¿estás bromeando?Tell me the truth, are you joking?
- ¡No puede ser! ¿Estás bromeando?It can't be! Are you joking?
Example conversation
Daniel tells María that he won a lottery prize.
- DanielMaría, ¡gané la lotería ayer!María, I won the lottery yesterday!
- María¿Estás bromeando? ¡No te lo creo!Are you joking? I don't believe you!
- DanielEs verdad, mira el boleto.It's true, look at the ticket.
- María¡Es increíble, Daniel!It's incredible, Daniel!
