洒落(しゃれ)

しゃれ
noun
joke, pun, wit
1. pun, wordplay, joke
A humorous play on words, often using homophones or similar sounds.
洒落(しゃれ)を言(い)う。
To make a pun.
くだらない洒落(しゃれ)を言(い)わないで。
Don't make such lame puns.
洒落(しゃれ)にならない事態(じたい)になった。
The situation became no laughing matter.
洒落にならない is a common expression meaning 'not funny' or 'no laughing matter'.
「布団(ふとん)が吹(ふ)っ飛(と)んだ」は典型的(てんけいてき)な駄洒落(だじゃれ)だ。
"Futon ga futtonda" (the futon flew away) is a classic pun.
駄洒落 refers to a bad pun or corny joke.
父(ちち)は酒(さけ)を飲(の)むと、いつも洒落(しゃれ)を言(い)って家族(かぞく)を笑(わら)わせようとする。
When my father drinks, he always tries to make the family laugh by telling puns.
2. wit, stylishness
Elegant humor or sophisticated style (often in the phrase お洒落).
洒落(しゃれ)た店(みせ)だね。
What a stylish shop.
洒落(しゃれ)が利(き)いている。
It's witty.
洒落が利く means something is witty or clever.
この部屋(へや)は洒落(しゃれ)た雰囲気(ふんいき)がある。
This room has a stylish atmosphere.
彼女(かのじょ)は洒落(しゃれ)た服(ふく)を着(き)ている。
She's wearing stylish clothes.
都会(とかい)には洒落(しゃれ)たカフェがたくさんあって、週末(しゅうまつ)はいつも満席(まんせき)だ。
There are many stylish cafes in the city, and they're always full on weekends.

洒落(しゃれ) primarily refers to puns or wordplay, but also appears in expressions related to style and humor.

Common expressions:

Japanese puns often use homophones:

Note: お洒落(しゃれ) (stylish/fashionable) is a different but related usage.

Related Words

Related: お洒落(しゃれ) (stylish)
Related: 駄洒落(だじゃれ) (pun, bad joke)
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Added 2026.1.13 20:15 · Revised 2026.5.11 5:13
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