scherzando
In Italian, the phrase for joking is scherzando.
The phrase is used to describe saying something that is not meant to be taken seriously.
What does it mean word for word?
The word scherzando is the gerund form of the verb scherzare, which means to joke.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form scherzando is a gerund used with the auxiliary verb stare to form the continuous aspect, such as sto scherzando for 'I am joking'.
Did you know?
- In the world of classical music, scherzando is a common musical instruction used by composers to tell a performer to play in a 'joking' or playful style.
- While English speakers might say 'just kidding', Italians often say stavo scherzando using the imperfect tense to soften the blow of a joke that didn't land.
- While scherzare is the standard verb, Italians often use the expression fare uno scherzo to mean 'to play a joke' or 'to play a prank' on someone.
Examples in context
- Io non sto scherzando.I'm not joking.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are not joking.Tatoeba #3357954 by Guybrush88, translation #2195489 by Hybrid
- Tom non sta scherzando.Tom isn't joking.This sentence is useful for stating that someone else is not joking.Tatoeba #4247304 by Guybrush88, translation #2236983 by CK
- Io non stavo scherzando.I wasn't joking.This sentence is useful for expressing that you were not joking in the past.Tatoeba #2559345 by Guybrush88, translation #2247546 by CK
- La situazione sembra un po' tesa, ma sto scherzando!The situation seems a bit tense, but I'm just joking!
- Mi dispiace se ti ho spaventato, ma stavo scherzando!I'm sorry if I scared you, but I was just joking!
- Oggi ho fatto uno scherzetto al mio amico, gli ho nascosto il telefono!Today, I played a little joke on my friend, I hid his phone!
- 160 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is teasing Giulia about her cooking in the kitchen.
- FrancescoSei davvero arrabbiata o stai solo scherzando?Are you really angry or are you just joking?
- GiuliaSto scherzando, Francesco, non preoccuparti.I am joking, Francesco, don't worry.
- FrancescoAh, mi hai fatto spaventare!Ah, you scared me!
- GiuliaScusa, volevo solo farti uno scherzo.Sorry, I just wanted to play a joke on you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
