bromear
joke · kid
Decir o hacer algo con intención de divertir o hacer reír, sin querer causar daño.
Definition & meaning
Bromear means to joke or to make jokes. Depending on context, it can also mean to tease someone playfully or to say something without being serious.
It usually suggests lighthearted humor, though the tone and context determine whether the joke is friendly or hurtful.
Grammar & word origin
Bromear is a regular Spanish verb ending in -ar, formed from broma (“joke” or “prank”) plus the verb-forming suffix -ear.
Synonyms & antonyms
There is no single exact synonym for every use of bromear:
- hacer bromas — “to make jokes”; emphasizes the jokes themselves.
- tomar el pelo — “to pull someone’s leg” or “to tease”; more specifically involves playfully misleading or teasing someone.
- vacilar — can mean “to tease” or “to joke around” in some regions; its meaning varies by country.
There is no exact antonym, but these expressions contrast with joking:
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
A mi hermano le gusta bromear todo el tiempo.verb
My brother likes to joke all the time.
Me gusta bromear con mis amigos durante el recreo.verb
I like to joke with my friends during the break.
A veces no sé cuándo estás bromeando.verb
Sometimes I don't know when you are joking.
Mi hermano bromea todo el tiempo.verb
My brother jokes all the time.
¿Bromeas?verb
Are you kidding?
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