je rigole
The English phrase "just kidding" can be translated into French as je rigole.
You use these expressions to indicate that you were not being serious or that what you just said was only a joke.
Meaning: I wasn’t serious, it was only a joke (intj)
Which one should you use?
While je rigole is common in speech, the version je plaisante is the standard version used in more polite or professional contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Je rigole is an informal way to say you are kidding. For even more informal or colloquial situations, you can use je déconne or the variation je déconne grave, which is used in informal spoken French.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase je rigole uses the first-person singular present tense of the verb rigoler.
Did you know?
- While je rigole is informal, using je déconne is far riskier. The root verb déconner is derived from con, a vulgar term for female anatomy.
- Adding the word grave to je déconne doesn't mean the joke is 'serious' or 'grave'. It is a slang intensifier meaning 'totally' or 'really'.
- If you say je rigole while laughing, it is a redundancy. In French, rigoler can mean both 'to joke' and 'to laugh' simultaneously.
Examples in context
- Je rigole.I'm just kidding.This sentence demonstrates the use of je rigole.Tatoeba #1101997 by sacredceltic, translation #398513 by CM
- Je plaisante ! Votre projet est vraiment impressionnant.Just kidding! Your project is truly impressive.
- J'ai oublié mon cadeau d'anniversaire. Mais, c'était une blague ! Il est ici dans mon sac.I forgot my birthday present. But, it was a joke! It's here in my bag.
- Tu ne me crois pas ? Je déconne ! J'ai réussi mon examen haut la main.You don't believe me? Just kidding! I aced my exam.
- T'as vraiment cru que j'avais abandonné ? Haha, je rigole ! J'ai travaillé dur pour réussir.Did you seriously think I gave up? Haha, I'm kidding! I worked hard to succeed.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, je rigole.Don't worry, I'm just kidding.
- Je rigole, c'est une blague.I'm kidding, it's a joke.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo tells Chloé he forgot her birthday as a prank.
- HugoJ'ai complètement oublié ton anniversaire !I completely forgot your birthday!
- ChloéQuoi ? Je ne peux pas le croire !What? I can't believe it!
- HugoMais non, je rigole, Chloé !No way, I'm just kidding, Chloé!
- ChloéTu m'as fait peur, Hugo !You scared me, Hugo!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
