1.
to joke; to crack a joke; to say something humorous
To make a humorous remark or tell a joke. Can also be used sarcastically when someone says something absurd or unbelievable.
冗談を言って場を和ませた。
I cracked a joke to lighten the mood.
冗談を言っているのか本気なのか分からない。
I can't tell if he's joking or being serious.
冗談を言うのはやめてくれ。今は真剣な話をしているんだ。
Stop joking around. We're having a serious discussion right now.
The standard expression for "to tell a joke" or "to joke around." 冗談 means "joke" and 言う means "to say." The combination is extremely common in daily conversation.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 冗談を言う — to joke, to crack a joke
- 冗談じゃない — that's no joke; I'm serious (used to deny joking)
- 冗談でしょう？ — you're joking, right? (disbelief)
- 冗談はよせ — cut it out with the jokes
- 冗談が通じない人 — a person who can't take a joke
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- ふざける — to joke around, to fool around (less about telling jokes, more about playful behavior)
- からかう — to tease, to make fun of (directed at a specific person)
- おどける — to clown around, to act funny (physical humor)
NUANCE:
冗談を言っている場合じゃない ("this is no time for jokes") is a set phrase used to express urgency or seriousness. 冗談でしょう is commonly used to express disbelief, similar to English "You must be kidding."