ningún chiste
/ninɡun t͡ʃiste/from spelling rules
The English phrase "no fun" can be expressed in Spanish as ningún chiste when referring to a matter that is not a joke.
The phrase ningún chiste is used to indicate that a situation or topic is a serious matter and should not be treated as a joke.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Depending on the region and the specific nuance of "no fun" you wish to convey, other informal options exist. In Latin America, you might use No tiene onda to say something lacks excitement. In Mexico, the informal phrase No está chido expresses that something is not cool or fun. In Spain, the informal expression No me mola is used to say "I don't like" or "I'm not into" something.
How do you pronounce it?
/ninɡun tʃiste/
Did you know?
- The verb molar in the Spanish expression No me mola normally refers to grinding or crushing, but in slang it is used to describe something you find attractive or exciting.
- The word chiste comes from the imitative sound chist, used to call attention or keep someone quiet, which evolved into the idea of a quick, sharp joke.
- In many Latin American countries, if you want to say a situation is 'no fun' in terms of being boring, you might say No tiene gracia, which literally translates to 'It has no grace'.
Examples in context
- La tarea extra no es divertidaThe extra assignment is not fun
- Ir a eventos sociales no es de mi agradoAttending social events is not to my liking
- La conferencia de hoy no me resulta atractivaToday's conference doesn't appeal to me
- Esa película no tiene ondaThat movie has no excitement
- El plan de salir a bailar no me molaI'm not into the plan of going out dancing
- El concierto no está chidoThe concert is not cool
- La película que propones no tiene onda, vamos a ver otraThe movie you suggest has no excitement, let's watch another one
- La situación no es ningún chiste.The situation is no joke.
Example conversation
Alejandro is explaining a serious problem at work to Lucía.
- AlejandroLucía, tenemos un problema grave.Lucía, we have a serious problem.
- Lucía¿Es una broma?Is it a joke?
- AlejandroNo, esto no es ningún chiste.No, this is no joke.
- LucíaEntiendo, voy a ayudarte ahora mismo.I understand, I will help you right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chiste, ningún, CC BY-SA 4.0.
