Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
In Jest in Spanish: En Broma — Joking Around in Spanish
En broma · adverbial phrase · en BROH-mah
In jest in Spanish is en broma, an adverbial phrase used to indicate that something was said or done as a joke. The alternate form de broma carries the same meaning.
En broma is pronounced en BROH-mah. The stress falls on the first syllable of broma.
Lo dije en broma, no te lo tomes en serio.
I said it in jest, don't take it seriously.
In Jest in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for in jest, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| en broma | in jest | en BROH-mah | Default, widely understood |
| de broma | in jest | informal variant, same meaning | |
| de guasa | in jest | Spain, colloquial |
How Native Speakers Use En broma
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Clarifying a joke
Tranquilo, lo dije en broma.
Relax, I said it in jest.
En broma is often used to reassure someone that a remark was not serious.
Contrasting seriousness
No sé si habla en broma o en serio.
I don't know if she's speaking in jest or seriously.
En broma is frequently contrasted with en serio (seriously).
Describing a prank
Escondieron sus llaves de broma.
They hid his keys as a joke.
De broma works as a synonym of en broma in informal speech.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using En broma
Translating jest as a single word
Incorrect: Él lo dijo en chiste.
Correct: Él lo dijo en broma.
While chiste means joke (the noun for a funny story), the phrase in jest translates to en broma. En chiste is not a standard expression.
Confusing broma with bromear conjugation
Incorrect: Estoy en bromeo.
Correct: Estoy bromeando.
To say 'I'm joking,' use the verb bromear in the gerund: estoy bromeando. En broma is an adverbial phrase, not a verb form.
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See En broma used by native speakers
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Common Questions About In Jest in Spanish
- What is the difference between en broma and de broma?
- En broma and de broma overlap significantly in meaning. En broma is slightly more formal and universally understood. De broma is more casual and common in everyday spoken Spanish in Latin America and Spain alike.
- How do I say 'no joke' or 'seriously' in Spanish?
- The opposite of en broma is en serio. You can say No es broma (It's no joke) or Lo digo en serio (I'm saying it seriously).
- Can I use broma by itself to mean a joke?
- Broma functions as a standalone noun meaning joke or prank. For example: Fue una broma pesada (It was a mean prank). En broma is the adverbial phrase meaning in a joking manner.