Translation guide
The English word "joke" covers a range of meanings from a humorous story or remark to something not serious or a prank. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on whether you mean a verbal joke, a funny story, a prank, or saying something in jest.
To tell a joke, a funny story, or make a witty remark intended to cause laughter.
The most common and general word for a joke or jest. Can be used for both spoken jokes and playful remarks.
彼はいつも冗談を言っている。
He is always telling jokes.
それは冗談ですよ。
That's a joke.
Loanword from English, often used for a short, witty joke or a one-liner. Common in casual conversation.
彼のジョークはいつも面白い。
His jokes are always funny.
A short, often humorous anecdote or story. More literary or traditional than 冗談.
彼は小話を交えてスピーチをした。
He gave a speech interspersed with humorous anecdotes.
To indicate that something was said or done playfully, not meant to be taken seriously.
Means "as a joke" or "in jest." Used to clarify that an action or statement was not serious.
冗談で言っただけだよ。
I only said it as a joke.
彼は冗談で私の帽子を隠した。
He hid my hat as a joke.
Means "jokingly" or "messing around." Often implies playful or silly behavior rather than a verbal joke.
ふざけてそんなことを言ったの？
Did you say that jokingly?
A trick played on someone to cause amusement, often involving physical action.
General word for a prank, mischief, or practical joke. Can range from harmless fun to mean-spirited tricks.
子供たちは先生にいたずらをした。
The children played a prank on the teacher.
それはひどいいたずらだ。
That's a mean prank.
More formal or literary term for a prank or mischief, often with a slightly negative connotation.
彼の悪戯には困ったものだ。
His pranks are troublesome.
To say something not seriously, often to tease or play with someone.
The standard verb phrase for "to tell a joke" or "to joke."
冗談を言わないでください。
Please don't joke around.
Means to tease or make fun of someone in a playful way. Closer to "kidding" or "pulling someone's leg."
彼はいつも私をからかう。
He's always kidding me.
Means to fool around, joke, or mess about. Often used for playful behavior rather than verbal jokes.
To describe a joke that is poorly received or in poor taste.
Literally "cold joke," meaning a lame or corny joke that makes people cringe rather than laugh.
彼の寒いジョークに誰も笑わなかった。
Nobody laughed at his lame joke.
A pun or bad pun, often considered a lame joke. Similar to "dad joke."
彼は駄洒落ばかり言う。
He's always telling bad puns.
The final part of a joke that makes it funny.
The punchline or climax of a joke or story. Essential in traditional Japanese comedic storytelling (落語).
そのジョークの落ちがわからなかった。
I didn't get the punchline of that joke.
Katakana version of 落ち, commonly used in casual contexts for the punchline of a joke or story.
English speakers often say "It's a joke" or "I'm joking" to retract a statement. In Japanese, 冗談 is used similarly, but be aware that 冗談 can sometimes sound like an excuse. In casual settings, うそ (uso, literally "lie") is often used to mean "just kidding!" when you say something surprising or untrue as a joke.
うそ！冗談だよ。
No way! Just kidding.
冗談 is the native Japanese word and covers a broad range of jokes, jests, and playful remarks. ジョーク is a loanword that often implies a shorter, wittier joke, similar to a one-liner. Both are common, but 冗談 is more versatile and can be used in formal situations, while ジョーク feels more casual and modern.
The phrase 冗談半分に (じょうだんはんぶんに) means "half-jokingly" and is useful when you say something partly in jest but with some seriousness.
冗談半分に言ったけど、本当にそう思う。
I said it half-jokingly, but I really think so.
冗談じゃない！
That's not a joke!
Can also express strong displeasure: "You must be joking!" or "This is no laughing matter!"
ふざけるな！
Stop joking around! / Don't mess with me!
If the punchline is weak, it's not funny.