de broma
/de bɾoma/from spelling rules
In Spanish, joking is translated as de broma.
de broma is used to describe something said or done as a joke rather than seriously. To specify that something is said in jest, you can also use En broma. If you want to state that something is a joke, you can say Es una broma.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase de broma literally translates to of joke or as a joke.
Which one should you use?
de broma is the direct antonym to en serio (seriously) when describing the intent behind a statement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use the expression Te estoy vacilando to mean "I'm pulling your leg" and Estoy de cachondeo to say "I'm joking". In some Latin American countries, the idiomatic expression Estoy echando puya means "I'm teasing" and Estoy jodiendo is used to mean "I'm kidding".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form bromas is used in the common imperative phrase Déjate de bromas (Stop joking around).
How do you pronounce it?
/de bɾoma/
When do people say it?
Common ways to express joking include the colloquial phrase Estoy de coña, which is often used among younger people.
Did you know?
- The word broma likely comes from the Byzantine Greek word brôma, which meant 'food' or 'shipworm'.
- While de broma is neutral, using estoy jodiendo to say 'I am kidding' can be considered vulgar or offensive in many Spanish-speaking regions.
- In Spain, vacilar means 'to joke' or 'to pull someone's leg', but in other contexts it can mean 'to hesitate' or 'to waver'.
Examples in context
- Están de broma.They're joking.Tatoeba #4553419 by swyter, translation #4552640 by Eldad
- Déjate de bromas.Stop joking around.Tatoeba #1648120 by Shishir, translation #433969 by CK
- No estoy de broma.I'm not joking.Tatoeba #12133522 by Adelpa, translation #2195489 by Hybrid
- Lo dije en bromaI said it as a joke
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier tells Elena a silly prank to make her laugh.
- Javier¿Sabías que me mudo a la Luna?Did you know I'm moving to the Moon?
- Elena¿De verdad? ¿O lo dices de broma?Really? Or are you joking?
- JavierEs de broma, Elena, no te asustes.It's a joke, Elena, don't be scared.
- Elena¡Qué susto me has dado, Javier!You gave me such a fright, Javier!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries broma, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
