sto solo scherzando
In Italian, "just kidding" is expressed as sto solo scherzando.
You can also use Sto scherzando! to mean "I'm joking," or Ho fatto una battuta! to say "I made a joke" to confirm a remark was humorous. For light-hearted comments among friends, you might say Volevo solo prenderti in giro!, which means "I just wanted to tease you."
Meaning: I wasn’t serious, it was only a joke (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sto solo scherzando literally means "I am only kidding." It is composed of sto (I am), solo (only/just) and scherzando (the gerund of scherzare, meaning kidding/joking).
Which one should you use?
You can use the imperfect tense Stavo solo scherzando (I was only kidding) if the joke has already passed or the moment has ended. In very casual conversation, Italians often shorten the sentiment to the single word Scherzo!
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase sto solo scherzando uses the present continuous construction (stare + gerund) to indicate an action currently in progress.
Did you know?
- The word battuta used in Ho fatto una battuta literally means 'a hit' or 'a strike'.
- The term prendere in giro used in Volevo solo prenderti in giro literally translates to 'to take in a circle', creating a vivid image of walking in circles around someone.
- The word scherzo can also refer to a short, lively musical movement in a classical composition, much like a 'jest' in English.
Examples in context
- Sto solo scherzando.I'm just kidding.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say "I'm just kidding."Tatoeba #1361091 by Guybrush88, translation #398513 by CM
- Non arrabbiarti, sto solo scherzando!Don't get angry, I'm just kidding!
Example conversation
Francesco tells Martina a silly lie about his favorite food.
- FrancescoNon mangio più la pizza, è terribile!I don't eat pizza anymore, it's terrible!
- MartinaMa come? Ti piace tantissimo!What? You love it so much!
- FrancescoTranquilla, sto solo scherzando.Relax, I'm just kidding.
- MartinaFrancesco, mi hai fatto preoccupare!Francesco, you worried me!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
