piada
/piˈa.dɐ/feminine
The English word 'joke' is translated into Portuguese as piada.
piada refers to an amusing story. Colloquially, it is also used to describe something ridiculous or something that should not be taken seriously, similar to the English expression 'that's a joke'.
Meaning: amusing story (noun)
Which one should you use?
While piada refers specifically to a spoken joke or a funny story, brincadeira is a broader term used for a prank, a game or the act of joking around. You may also use the diminutive piadinha informally to refer to a small or short joke.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
piada is a feminine noun. To say 'to tell a joke', the most natural verbal phrase is contar uma piada. Other related verbal forms for doing something for amusement include gracejar, contar piada and brincar.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /piˈa.dɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word piada is etymologically linked to the verb piar, which describes the sound a bird makes, such as 'chirp' or 'tweet'.
- The verb gracejar relates to the word graça, which means both 'grace' and 'wit' or 'funniness'.
- Portuguese speakers use the diminutive piadinha not just for short jokes, but often to describe a 'dirty joke' or an off-color remark.
Examples in context
- Isto é uma piada.This is a joke.Tatoeba #2615908 by marcospcruz, translation #1898115 by CK
- Isso é uma piada?Is this a joke?Tatoeba #3601645 by carlosalberto, translation #1493123 by CK
- Só foi uma piada.It was just a joke.Tatoeba #4371609 by Ricardo14, translation #40063 by CK
- Você conhece alguma boa piada?Do you know any good jokes?
- Vamos contar uma anedota engraçada.Let's tell a funny joke.
- Aquela foi uma brincadeira engraçada!That was a funny joke!
- O João sempre conta piadinhas ótimas.João always tells great jokes.
- Por que a aranha é a melhor amiga da internet? Porque ela é uma especialista na teia.Why is the spider the internet's best friend? Because it's an expert in the web.
- Por que o gato não gosta de computador? Porque ele prefere usar o mouse.Why doesn't the cat like computers? Because it prefers using the mouse.
- 124 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are chatting during a break at work.
- FelipeMariana, você conhece uma piada engraçada?Mariana, do you know a funny joke?
- MarianaSim, eu conheço uma piada bem curta.Yes, I know a very short joke.
- FelipeConta para mim agora!Tell it to me now!
- MarianaTudo bem, escute com atenção.All right, listen carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “joke” translations and entries piada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
