Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chiste | /ˈt͡ʃiste/ | masculine |
| broma | /ˈbɾoma/ | feminine |
While both words relate to humor, they are used in different contexts. Chiste is the most common and widely used word for a joke. It specifically refers to a joke that has a setup and a punchline, such as a verbal story. You may also encounter chascarrillo, which refers to a short, often witty, anecdote or joke. For more informal settings, the slang term cachondeo denotes joking or teasing amongst friends.
Which one should you use?
Use chiste for a joke consisting of an amusing story with a punchline. In contrast, use broma to refer to a prank, a practical joke or a playful remark intended to tease someone. For example, the phrase hacer una broma is commonly used to mean 'to play a prank' or 'to play a joke on someone'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Chiste is a masculine noun. Its plural form is chistes. Broma is a feminine noun. Its plural form is bromas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃiste/
Did you know?
- The word broma has a very strange historical ancestor in the Byzantine Greek word βρῶμα, which originally meant 'food' or even 'a shipworm'.
- The word chiste is derived from the verb chistar, which mimics the sound of a quick, sharp noise.
- If someone tells a joke that is not funny, a Spanish speaker might say it is a mal chiste, emphasizing the lack of a good punchline.
Examples in context
- No es una broma.It's no joke.This sentence uses broma.Tatoeba #1238493 by wallebot, translation #268442 by CK
- No cogí su broma.I couldn't understand his joke.Tatoeba #454969 by Shishir, translation #392152 by CK
- Esto no es broma.This isn't a joke.Tatoeba #2450577 by leoruilova, translation #1898081 by CK
- Me gustaría contar un chiste para alegrar el ambiente.I would like to tell a joke to lighten the mood.
- Carlos siempre hace bromas pesadas en el trabajo.Carlos always plays practical jokes at work.
- El profesor comenzó la lección contando un chascarrillo.The teacher started the lesson by telling a joke.
- Tienes que escuchar este chiste que me contó Manuel. ¡Es muy gracioso!You have to hear this joke that Manuel told me. It's really funny!
- Entre risas, Elena compartió un chascarrillo sobre su última cita.Amidst laughter, Elena shared a funny anecdote about her last date.
- Nuestro grupo de amigos siempre está en constante cachondeo.Our group of friends is always joking around.
- ¿Qué le dice un semáforo a otro? No me mires, me estoy cambiandoWhat does one traffic light say to the other? Don't look at me, I'm changing
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are sitting in a cafe.
- JavierMaría, ¿cuentas un chiste?María, will you tell a joke?
- MaríaNo soy muy buena contando chistes.I am not very good at telling jokes.
- JavierSolo uno, por favor.Just one, please.
- MaríaEstá bien, escucha esto.Okay, listen to this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “joke” translations and entries chiste, broma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries broma, chiste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
