broma

Broma is a Spanish noun that denotes a joke or prank, a form of playful deception intended to amuse or surprise. The term can refer to a single joke, a practical joke, or the act of joking in general.

Phrases commonly used with broma include hacer una broma (to play a joke) and tomar la broma de buena o mala manera (to take the joke well or poorly). Bromas are often categorized as inocentes (harmless) or pesadas (heavy) depending on intent and impact. Discussions around pranks frequently address issues of consent, privacy, and harm.

In culture and media, bromas appear in everyday conversation, television, film, and online content, including la broma con cámara oculta (hidden-camera pranks). The practice spans from casual, social humor to organized performances in entertainment contexts.

Cultural note: Día de los Santos Inocentes, celebrated on December 28 in many Spanish-speaking countries, is a day associated with pranks and jokes, similar in spirit to April Fools’ Day in other regions.

Etymology: The word broma is native to Spanish; its exact historical origin is not clearly documented, but it has long been linked with playful deception and humor.

See also: joke, prank, humor, practical joke.