In 15 Seconds
- Sharing a funny story or pun to make people laugh.
- Always use the verb 'tell', never 'say' or 'speak'.
- Great for breaking the ice or lightening the mood.
Meaning
This phrase means telling a short, funny story or a play on words to make people laugh. It is the standard way to describe the act of sharing humor with others.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a party with friends
He loves to tell a joke to get everyone laughing.
He loves to tell a joke to get everyone laughing.
Starting a speech
The speaker decided to tell a joke to break the ice.
The speaker decided to tell a joke to break the ice.
Texting a friend who is bored
I'm so bored, tell me a joke!
I'm so bored, tell me a joke!
Cultural Background
British humor often involves 'telling a joke' where the speaker is the butt of the joke. This self-deprecation is a way to show humility. In the US, 'telling a joke' is a common way to build rapport in business. Many speeches begin with a joke to 'warm up' the audience. Traditional joke-telling (Rakugo) is a highly respected art form where a lone storyteller sits on a cushion and tells long, funny stories. There is a stereotype that Germans don't tell jokes, but in reality, German humor is very logic-based and often involves 'telling jokes' about specific character types (like the 'Manta-Witz').
The 'Story' Rule
If it has a beginning and a punchline, use 'tell.' If it's just a one-liner, you can use 'make.'
Avoid 'Say'
This is the #1 mistake. Even if your language uses 'say,' English never does for jokes.
In 15 Seconds
- Sharing a funny story or pun to make people laugh.
- Always use the verb 'tell', never 'say' or 'speak'.
- Great for breaking the ice or lightening the mood.
What It Means
To tell a joke is to perform a small piece of comedy. You share a specific story or a witty line. The goal is always to get a laugh or a smile. It is a social tool used to break the ice. It helps people feel more comfortable around you.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a simple verb-object pair. You can say I told a joke or He is telling a joke. It works in almost any tense. You can also ask someone, Can you tell a joke? if the room is too quiet. Just remember, the verb is always tell, never say or speak a joke. That is a common mistake!
When To Use It
Use it when you want to lighten the mood. It is perfect for parties or hanging out with friends. You might use it at a dinner table to entertain your family. It even works at the start of a presentation to grab attention. If someone looks sad, a well-timed joke might help them feel better.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid telling jokes during very serious or somber moments. Do not tell a joke during a funeral or a high-stakes business crisis. If your boss is giving you a serious warning, keep the humor for later. Also, be careful with jokes that might offend others. If the room feels tense, sometimes silence is better than a bad joke.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, humor is a highly valued social skill. Being able to tell a joke well makes you seem more likable and confident. There is a long tradition of 'Knock-Knock' jokes for kids. Adults often prefer 'one-liners' or short anecdotal stories. Humor is often used as a 'social lubricant' to make difficult conversations easier.
Common Variations
You might hear people say crack a joke. This is a more informal and fun way to say it. Another variation is share a joke, which sounds a bit more polite. If someone tells a lot of jokes, you might call them a joker. If the joke is bad, people might say you are telling dad jokes!
Usage Notes
The phrase is very versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just remember that 'tell' is the mandatory verb; using 'say' is the most common mistake for non-native speakers.
The 'Story' Rule
If it has a beginning and a punchline, use 'tell.' If it's just a one-liner, you can use 'make.'
Avoid 'Say'
This is the #1 mistake. Even if your language uses 'say,' English never does for jokes.
Know your audience
Before you tell a joke, make sure it's appropriate for the culture and the setting.
Practice the 'Told'
Since we usually talk about jokes after they happen, practice the past tense 'told' more than 'tell.'
Examples
6He loves to tell a joke to get everyone laughing.
He loves to tell a joke to get everyone laughing.
Describes a habitual action in a social setting.
The speaker decided to tell a joke to break the ice.
The speaker decided to tell a joke to break the ice.
Shows humor used as a professional tool.
I'm so bored, tell me a joke!
I'm so bored, tell me a joke!
A direct request for entertainment via text.
It takes courage to stand up and tell a joke to strangers.
It takes courage to stand up and tell a joke to strangers.
Refers to a professional performance.
I tried to tell a joke to make her smile, but she wasn't in the mood.
I tried to tell a joke to make her smile, but she wasn't in the mood.
Using humor to provide emotional support.
Is it appropriate to tell a joke during the board meeting?
Is it appropriate to tell a joke during the board meeting?
Questioning the social etiquette of humor.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
My brother loves to ____ jokes at dinner.
We always 'tell' a joke because it is a story.
Fill in the missing article.
Can you tell ____ joke for me?
Since 'joke' is a singular countable noun, we need 'a'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'tell a joke'.
A: Why is everyone laughing? B: Because Sarah just ____.
The laughter happened because of a past action, so we use 'told'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a formal speech?
You are starting a business presentation.
'Tell a joke' is neutral and safe for formal contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tell vs. Say
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMy brother loves to ____ jokes at dinner.
We always 'tell' a joke because it is a story.
Can you tell ____ joke for me?
Since 'joke' is a singular countable noun, we need 'a'.
A: Why is everyone laughing? B: Because Sarah just ____.
The laughter happened because of a past action, so we use 'told'.
You are starting a business presentation.
'Tell a joke' is neutral and safe for formal contexts.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIn English, 'tell' is reserved for narratives and information sharing. Since a joke is a mini-story, it requires 'tell.'
Not better, just different. 'Crack a joke' is more informal and implies the joke was spontaneous.
Technically yes, but it usually implies an audience. You might say 'I thought of a joke' instead.
It's a wholesome but corny pun, typically told by fathers, that usually gets a groan instead of a laugh.
It's rare. Usually, you would only use it if you are recounting a meeting or an event.
Grammatically, yes! Both use 'tell' because they involve a narrative that isn't just a simple statement.
Even short puns are usually 'told' because you are presenting them to an audience.
You can say, 'I'm not very good at telling jokes.'
It is neutral. It's fine for both a king and a kid.
'Telling a joke' is for entertainment; 'making fun of someone' is often mean-spirited and targets a person.
Yes, but 'He told me a joke' is much more natural.
It means telling a joke that is inappropriate or contains adult themes.
Related Phrases
crack a joke
similarTo tell a joke suddenly or spontaneously.
make a joke
similarTo say something funny in the moment.
play a joke
contrastTo perform a practical joke or prank.
tell a story
builds onTo narrate a sequence of events.
punchline
specialized formThe final part of a joke that makes it funny.
