Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| broma | /ˈbɾoma/ | feminine |
| travesura | /tɾabeˈsuɾa/ | feminine |
| inocentada | /inoθenˈtada/ /inosenˈtada/ |
feminine |
| jaimitada | /xaimitada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| diablura | /djaˈbluɾa/ | feminine |
| picardía | /pikaɾˈdia/ | feminine |
| trastada | /tɾasˈtada/ | feminine |
| jarana | /xaˈɾana/ | Latin America, feminine |
| chanza | /ˈt͡ʃanθa/ /ˈt͡ʃansa/ |
feminine |
| chacota | /t͡ʃaˈkota/ | feminine |
| chirigota | /t͡ʃiɾiɡota/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| trebejo | /tɾeˈbexo/ | masculine |
| changoneta | /t͡ʃanɡoˈneta/ | feminine |
| chufla | /t͡ʃufla/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| trampucheta | /tɾamput͡ʃeta/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| cabuleo | /kabuleo/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, masculine |
| bufa | /bufa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term refers to a practical joke or a mischievous trick. To say 'to play a prank' or 'to pull a prank', use the verb phrase hacer una broma.
Which one should you use?
While broma refers to a joke or prank, travesura specifically refers to mischief or a naughty act, often associated with children. trastada is often used for a mischievous act or a small piece of trouble, similar to travesura but sometimes implying a slightly more problematic action.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Hacerle una mala pasada a alguien can be used to describe a prank that causes inconvenience or mild embarrassment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may encounter jarana. In Mexico, the masculine noun cabuleo is used. Other specific forms include chanza, chacota, chirigota, changoneta, chufla, trampucheta and bufa.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word broma is a feminine noun. The plural form of 'broma' is bromas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɾoma/
Did you know?
- The word broma has a surprising connection to food. It is borrowed from the Byzantine Greek word brôma, which means 'food' or 'an edible morsel'.
- In Spain, a chirigota is not just a prank but a type of musical group that performs satirical and mocking songs during Carnival.
- The term diablura literally translates to 'devilry', as it uses the word diablo to frame a prank as a small, playful act of the devil.
Examples in context
- Yanni quería hacerle una broma a Skura.Yanni wanted to play a prank on Skura.This sentence shows how to use broma to indicate playing a prank on someone.Tatoeba #9996411 by manufrutos, translation #9995618 by Amastan
- ¿Y te acuerdas de esa vez que hicimos esa broma?And do you remember that time when we pulled that prank?This sentence uses broma when reminiscing about a past prank.Tatoeba #2194272 by marcelostockle, translation #2194260 by marcelostockle
- Es una broma.It's a prank.This sentence uses broma to identify that something is a prank.Tatoeba #2411722 by Shishir, translation #10802056 by ddnktr
- Le hice una broma a mi amigoI played a prank on my friend
- Le hice una mala pasada a JuanI played a prank on Juan
- Los niños hicieron una travesura en claseThe children played a prank in class
- Decidió jugarles una broma a sus compañeros de trabajoHe decided to play a prank on his coworkers
- Le lanzó una puya a su hermanoHe threw a playful jab at his brother
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are laughing about a funny trick played at a party.
- MaríaFue una broma muy divertida.It was a very funny prank.
- AlejandroSí, nadie se lo esperaba.Yes, nobody expected it.
- MaríaNo fue una broma pesada.It wasn't a mean prank.
- AlejandroTienes razón, fue muy inocente.You're right, it was very harmless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prank” translations and entries broma, travesura, inocentada, diablura, picardía, trastada, jarana, chanza, chacota, chirigota, trebejo, changoneta, chufla, bufa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries broma, inocentada, travesura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
