el chiste
joke
Historia o frase corta que se dice para hacer reír.
Definition & meaning
A chiste is a short, humorous story, remark, or observation intended to provoke laughter or amusement. It is commonly referred to in English as a joke.
Depending on the context, it can have two nuances:
- A funny story or punchline told to entertain others.
- An expression used to describe something ridiculous or unworthy of serious consideration (e.g., "Su argumento es un chiste" - "His argument is a joke").
Grammar & Word origin
Grammatically, chiste is a masculine noun.
The etymology of the word is debated, but most linguists suggest it comes from the verb chistar, which means to make a slight sound or to whisper. This implies that a joke was originally a small or quiet remark, or perhaps a secret shared between people. It shares roots with other onomatopoeic terms in Spanish that relate to making soft, sharp sounds.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Examples
Mi hermano siempre cuenta buenos chistes en las fiestas.noun
My brother always tells good jokes at parties.
Ese chiste me hizo reír mucho.noun
That joke made me laugh a lot.
Mi amigo contó un chiste gracioso en la clase.noun
My friend told a funny joke in the class.
¿Puedes repetir el chiste, por favor?noun
Can you repeat the joke, please?
No entendí el chiste durante la conversación.noun
I didn't understand the joke during the conversation.
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