hoi1 waan4 siu3開玩笑开玩笑

Jyutpinghoi1 waan4 siu3

Yalehōi wàahn siu

動詞Common

Definition

To joke; to make fun of or kid around.

colloquialdaily actionscommunication

How it's used

While 開玩笑 is understood in Hong Kong, it is heavily influenced by Mandarin and often sounds slightly formal or written. Locals overwhelmingly prefer the more natural and punchy 講笑 in daily speech. Using 講笑 makes your Cantonese sound significantly more authentic and less like a direct translation.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好tung4同ngo5我hoi1開waan4玩siu3笑laa1啦，ngo5我hou2好mong4忙㗎。

Don't kid around with me, I'm very busy.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日zung1鍾ji3意hoi1開waan4玩siu3笑，nei5你m4唔hou2好gam3咁gaai3介ji3意。

He likes to joke around all the time, don't take it to heart.

Common phrases

m4唔hou2好hoi1開waan4玩siu3笑

don't joke around

tung4同jan4人hoi1開waan4玩siu3笑

to joke with someone

Common mistake

Learners often use 開玩笑 in casual situations where 講笑 is the standard choice. Additionally, avoid using it as a noun; if you want to say 'it's a joke', use 講笑嚟㗎 instead of calling the situation an 開玩笑.