contar chistes
/kontaɾ t͡ʃistes/from spelling rules
To make jokes in Spanish is contar chistes.
The phrase is used when you are telling funny stories or short anecdotes to make people laugh.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contar chistes literally translates to 'to tell jokes'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish this from hacer bromas, which means to play pranks or to tease someone. While contar chistes refers to verbal storytelling for humor, hacer bromas refers to playing practical jokes or teasing someone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on the region, you may encounter different expressions. In Spain, it is common to use decir chistes to mean 'tell jokes'. In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, echar chistes is used to say 'make jokes', while in parts of Latin America, particularly Argentina and Uruguay, tirar chistes is used to mean 'make jokes'.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontaɾ tʃistes/
Did you know?
- The verb in contar chistes is actually a distant cousin of the English word 'compute'.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, you might hear tirar chistes, where tirar literally means 'to throw'.
- The verb contar has a double meaning in Spanish, used both for 'counting' numbers and 'telling' stories.
Examples in context
- Mi profesor siempre sabe cómo hacer chistes para mantener la clase entretenida.My teacher always knows how to make jokes to keep the class entertained.
- Durante el evento, el presentador contará chistes para animar a la audiencia.During the event, the host will tell jokes to liven up the audience.
- Aquel comediante siempre dice los mejores chistes en sus actuaciones.That comedian always tells the best jokes during his performances.
- Él siempre está contando chistes en las fiestas.He is always telling jokes at parties.
- A mi hermano le gusta contar chistes.My brother likes to tell jokes.
- No deberías contar chistes en un funeral.You shouldn't tell jokes at a funeral.
- Él sabe contar chistes muy buenos.He knows how to tell very good jokes.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are hanging out at a party.
- Mateo¿Puedes contar chistes para animar la fiesta?Can you tell jokes to liven up the party?
- ElenaNo soy muy buena para contar chistes, Mateo.I'm not very good at telling jokes, Mateo.
- Mateo¡No importa! Solo queremos reír un poco.It doesn't matter! We just want to laugh a little.
- ElenaEstá bien, intentaré uno ahora.Okay, I will try one now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
