JK

JK is an initialism and shorthand that can refer to several different things, depending on context. It is commonly used to mean “just kidding,” indicating a lighthearted joke or that a prior statement was not meant seriously. In informal online communication, people may write “jk” or “JK” after a joking remark, sometimes with a smile or emoji.

The letters are also associated with Jammu and Kashmir, a region in the northern Indian subcontinent. Formerly a single Indian state from 1954 until 2019, it was reorganized in 2019 into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir (often shortened to JK or J&K) and Ladakh. The term JK therefore appears in maps, signage, and casual references tied to that geographic area, though current administrative status differs from the former state.

In biographical usage, JK can appear as initials for notable people, such as J. K. Rowling, the British author of the Harry Potter series, and J. K. Simmons, the American actor. The initials are used by many others whose given names begin with J and whose surnames begin with K.

JK is not a single term with a single definition; its meaning is determined by usage, context, and capitalization. For clarity, writers often spell out “just kidding” or specify “Jammu and Kashmir” when precision is required.