Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Using 玩笑 (wánxiào) to express "a joke"

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    开玩笑

    Explanation

    The word 玩笑 (wánxiào) means "a joke" or "jest." It is most commonly used in the phrase 开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào), meaning "to joke" or "to kid around." This is an essential everyday expression in Chinese for both lighthearted humor and dismissing something as not serious.

    Examples

    • 别生气了，我只是开个玩笑而已。

      Bié shēngqì le, wǒ zhǐshì kāi ge wánxiào éryǐ.

      Don't be angry, I was just joking.

    • 他说的话你别当真，都是玩笑话。

      Tā shuō de huà nǐ bié dàngzhēn, dōu shì wánxiào huà.

      Don't take what he said seriously, it's all just jokes.

    • 这种事可不是开玩笑的，要认真对待。

      Zhè zhǒng shì kě búshì kāi wánxiào de, yào rènzhēn duìdài.

      This kind of thing is no joke — it needs to be taken seriously.

    Using 玩笑 (wánxiào) to express "a joke" | Chinese Grammar