French Conversation · Level 17
90 words
French word
blague
Pronunciation
IPA/blag/
Meaning
- feminine nounjoke
Example
Il raconte une blague.
He tells a joke.
More examples
Il a fait une blague à son collègue.
He played a joke on his colleague.
Core concept
A short harmless story or line that turns an ordinary moment into laughter.
Common phrases
raconter une blague
tell a joke
faire une blague
play a joke
Similar words
plaisanterie: A brief joke intended to create a relaxed atmosphere.
canular: A prankish joke that deceives someone for amusement.
Definition in French
Petite histoire ou phrase amusante, souvent racontée pour provoquer le rire sans gravité.
Word origin
The noun blague appeared in French in the nineteenth century and is linked to blaguer, while its earlier history and shift from prank or deception to light humor remain uncertain.
Usage tips
- Blague is feminine, so standard phrases use une blague, raconter une blague, and faire une blague à quelqu'un.