المعنى
To tell something humorous to make people laugh.
خلفية ثقافية
British humor often involves 'making a joke' at one's own expense (self-deprecation). It is used to show humility. In US business culture, 'making a joke' at the start of a presentation is a common technique to build 'likability.' In Japan, 'making a joke' (jōdan) must be timed carefully. Making a joke to a superior can sometimes be seen as disrespectful (shitsurei). There is a stereotype that Germans don't make jokes at work, but 'Feierabend' (end of work) is a common time for social joking.
The 'Ice-Breaker'
Use 'make a joke' when describing how you start a conversation with a stranger.
Avoid 'Do'
Never say 'do a joke.' It is the most common mistake for English learners.
المعنى
To tell something humorous to make people laugh.
The 'Ice-Breaker'
Use 'make a joke' when describing how you start a conversation with a stranger.
Avoid 'Do'
Never say 'do a joke.' It is the most common mistake for English learners.
Make vs. Tell
If you are being funny in the moment, use 'make.' If you are reciting a story you heard before, use 'tell.'
Read the Room
In English, 'making a joke' is great, but 'making a joke of' a serious problem can make you look insensitive.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'make'.
Yesterday, he _______ a joke that made everyone laugh.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday,' so the past tense 'made' is required.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the natural English sentence:
'Make a joke' is the standard collocation in English.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a serious meeting and someone says something funny but inappropriate.
In a serious meeting, 'making jokes' is often seen as a distraction.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Why is everyone laughing? B: Because Sarah just _______.
'Made a joke' explains why people are laughing.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Types of Joking
Verbal
- • Make a joke
- • Tell a story
- • Crack a pun
Action
- • Play a prank
- • Slapstick
- • Practical joke
Social
- • Break the ice
- • Tease a friend
- • Self-deprecation
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينYesterday, he _______ a joke that made everyone laugh.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday,' so the past tense 'made' is required.
Choose the natural English sentence:
'Make a joke' is the standard collocation in English.
You are in a serious meeting and someone says something funny but inappropriate.
In a serious meeting, 'making jokes' is often seen as a distraction.
A: Why is everyone laughing? B: Because Sarah just _______.
'Made a joke' explains why people are laughing.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt's understandable but not natural. Use 'He made a joke' or 'He told a joke' instead.
A 'Dad joke' is a simple, often 'cheesy' or predictable joke made by fathers that usually gets a groan instead of a laugh.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
It means to do something embarrassing that makes people laugh at you.
No, for a physical prank, use 'play a joke' or 'play a trick.'
'Cracking a joke' is just more informal and suggests the joke was very sudden and funny.
Use 'made a joke.' For example: 'He made a joke yesterday.'
You can say 'I made a joke, but it fell flat.'
Always use 'about.' For example: 'He made a joke about the weather.'
Yes! 'He is always making jokes' means he does it frequently.
عبارات ذات صلة
Tell a joke
similarTo recite a humorous story.
Crack a joke
similarTo say something funny suddenly.
Play a joke
relatedTo perform a prank.
Take a joke
contrastTo not be offended when someone laughs at you.
Joke around
builds onTo behave in a silly way.
