blague
/blaɡ/
In French, the word for kidding is blague.
The term is used to indicate that someone is joking or not being serious. You can use the fixed idiomatic expression Blague à part to transition from a joking tone to a serious one, meaning "jokes aside" or "all kidding aside."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some urban areas of France, the phrase Je déconne, mec! is used to mean "I'm kidding, dude!"
How do you pronounce it?
/blaɡ/
Did you know?
- The informal term déconner used in Je déconne is derived from con, a vulgar term for a stupid person. Literally, it suggests that the speaker is acting like a fool.
- The word blague comes from the Dutch word balg, which referred to something puffed up. It originally described things that were vain or fanciful before it evolved to mean a joke.
- Calling someone a blagueur can be an insult in professional circles, suggesting the person is unreliable or not to be taken seriously.
Examples in context
- Je ne blague pas.I'm not kidding.This sentence is useful for using the form blague to say you are not being serious.Tatoeba #549534 by zmoo, translation #555316 by CM
- Je ne fais que blaguer.I'm only kidding.This sentence is useful for using the form blague to say you are only joking.Tatoeba #1366979 by sacredceltic, translation #2248202 by CK
- Blague à part, cela peut marcher.All kidding aside, it may work.This sentence is useful for using the form blague to transition to a serious topic.Tatoeba #4062485 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4061952 by ulymarrero
- Je plaisante, bien sûr!I'm kidding, of course!
- Je rigole, ne t'inquiète pas.I'm joking, don't worry.
- Je déconne, t'inquiète pas!I'm kidding, don't worry!
- Je blague, tu le sais bien.I'm joking, you know it well.
- Je rigole, j'ai vraiment apprécié ton cadeau.I'm just kidding, I really liked your gift.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking at a cafe.
- EmmaTu veux vraiment partir demain ?Do you really want to leave tomorrow?
- LucasMais non, c'est une blague !No, I'm kidding!
- EmmaTu m'as fait peur, Lucas.You scared me, Lucas.
- LucasDésolé, je plaisante.Sorry, I'm joking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry blague, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blague, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
