冗談(じょうだん)を言(い)う

The standard expression for "to tell a joke" or "to joke around." 冗談(じょうだん) means "joke" and 言(い)う means "to say." The combination is extremely common in daily conversation.

Common patterns

• 冗談(じょうだん)を言(い)う — to joke, to crack a joke
• 冗談(じょうだん)じゃない — that's no joke; I'm serious (used to deny joking)
• 冗談(じょうだん)でしょう？ — you're joking, right? (disbelief)
• 冗談(じょうだん)はよせ — cut it out with the jokes
• 冗談(じょうだん)が通(つう)じない人(ひと) — a person who can't take a joke

Similar words

• 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)

Usage

冗談(じょうだん)を言(い)っている場合(ばあい)じゃない ("this is no time for jokes") is a set phrase used to express urgency or seriousness. 冗談(じょうだん)でしょう is commonly used to express disbelief, similar to English "You must be kidding."