How to Say “Joking” in French

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plaisanter
/plɛ.zɑ̃.te/
The English phrase "joking" can be translated into French using the verb plaisanter.
The verb plaisanter refers to the act of being playful or teasing someone. While plaisanter describes a manner of speaking, if you are specifically referring to telling a particular joke or prank, you should use the phrase faire une blague.

Which one should you use?

Plaisanter focuses on the playful manner of your speech, whereas blaguer is a common, more colloquial way to say "to joke".

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Plaisanter is a standard way to express the idea, while blaguer is an informal alternative. For a more formal way to specify that a remark was intended to be humorous, you can use the phrase Je disais ça sur le ton de l'humour (I said that in a humorous tone). In casual settings, you might use Je déconne to say "I'm kidding".

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Quebec French, the expression Je niaise can be used to say "I'm joking" and Je niaise pas means "I'm not joking".

How does it change in a sentence?

The default form plaisanter is an infinitive verb meaning "to joke".

How do you pronounce it?

plaisanter is pronounced /plɛ.zɑ̃.te/ and has 3 syllables.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Do not use the adjective plaisant to mean "joking". In French, plaisant actually means "pleasant" or "agreeable".

When do people say it?

To indicate that you are joking, you can use the phrase Je rigole, which literally translates to "I'm laughing". To say that an action was done just for fun, you can use C'était pour déconner, meaning "It was for joking around".

Did you know?

  • In Quebec, the phrase Je niaise is used to say 'I'm joking', but in France, the verb niaiser can describe someone who is slow-witted or foolish.
  • The verb plaisanter is a descendant of the Middle French word plaisant, which originally related to things that were 'pleasing'.

Examples in context

  • Tu dois plaisanter !
    You have got to be joking!
    This sentence shows how to express disbelief using plaisanter.
    Tatoeba #1997354 by sacredceltic, translation #2030128 by Spamster
  • J'ai l'air de plaisanter?
    Do I look like I'm joking?
    This sentence uses plaisanter to ask if one's appearance suggests they are joking.
    Tatoeba #6297548 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6296964 by Hybrid
  • Je ne fais que plaisanter.
    I'm just joking.
    This sentence uses plaisanter to clarify that one is only joking.
    Tatoeba #4429332 by sacredceltic, translation #2248045 by CK
  • As-tu entendu la dernière blague ?
    Have you heard the latest joke?
  • Deux poissons discutent. L'un demande : "On va boire un verre ?" L'autre répond : "Non merci, j'ai déjà assez bu !"
    Two fish are talking. One asks: "Shall we grab a drink?" The other replies: "No thanks, I've already had enough!"
  • Haha, très drôle !
    Haha, very funny!
  • Haha, je rigole, bien sûr !
    Haha, I'm joking, of course!
  • Attends, je plaisante. Les résultats seront publiés la semaine prochaine.
    Wait, I'm joking. The results will be released next week.
  • 20 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Lucas tells Léa a surprising lie as a prank.

  1. Lucas

    Je gagne au loto demain !
    I'm winning the lottery tomorrow!
  2. Léa

    C'est vrai ? Tu es sérieux ?
    Really? Are you serious?
  3. Lucas

    Mais non, je viens de plaisanter !
    No, I was just joking!
  4. Léa

    Tu m'as fait peur, Lucas.
    You scared me, Lucas.

Sources

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Christian Bradley
Christian BradleyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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