chistes
/t͡ʃistes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "jokes" is translated into Spanish as chistes.
chistes refers to short stories or phrases told to make people laugh. When you want to say "to tell a joke," you should use the verb contar rather than decir. Additionally, if you are referring to jokes that are sexually suggestive or "dirty," you can use the term chistes verdes, using the adjective verde (green) to qualify them.
Which one should you use?
While chistes refers to verbal jokes or stories told for laughter, bromas refers to practical jokes or pranks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of chistes is chiste.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃistes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
To say 'to tell a joke', use the verb contar instead of decir.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to start a chiste with the phrase Había una vez, which literally means 'there was once upon a time' and is typically used for fairy tales.
- The word chiste is used in the expression ser el chiste de la clase, meaning to be the laughingstock of the class, which is a figurative use unrelated to telling a story.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person who tells many chistes might be jokingly called a chistoso, but this can also mean they are 'funny' in a sarcastic or annoying way.
Examples in context
- No me sé muchos chistes.I don't know a lot of jokes.This sentence is useful for expressing how many chistes you know.Tatoeba #1684496 by marcelostockle, translation #1665046 by Amastan
- Odio los chistes verdes.I hate dirty jokes.This sentence shows how to describe chistes that are considered dirty.Tatoeba #1745818 by hayastan, translation #1665082 by Amastan
- No me gustan sus chistes.I don't like his jokes.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for someone's chistes.Tatoeba #1688046 by marcelostockle, translation #1665039 by Amastan
- ¿Cómo se llama el campeón de buceo japonés? Tokofondo.What's the name of the Japanese diving champion? Tokofondo.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is trying to cheer María up with humor.
- MaríaNo tengo ganas de reír hoy.I don't feel like laughing today.
- Alejandro¿Quieres que te cuente algunos chistes?Do you want me to tell you some jokes?
- MaríaTal vez tus chistes me ayuden.Maybe your jokes will help me.
- Alejandro¡Espero que te gusten mucho!I hope you like them a lot!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
