开玩笑

kāi wán xiào
HSK 1Verb (动)

Basic Meaning

v
Often used in casual conversations to lighten the mood.
to joke; to tease someone for fun
用言语或行动逗人以取乐。
Synonyms:
寻开心恶作剧闹着玩
Sentences:
  1. 他(tā)经(jīng)常(cháng)开(kāi)玩(wán)笑(xiào)逗(dòu)大(dà)家(jiā)开(kāi)心(xīn)
    He often jokes to make everyone happy.
  2. 别(bié)担(dān)心(xīn)，我(wǒ)只(zhǐ)是(shì)在(zài)开(kāi)玩(wán)笑(xiào)
    Don't worry, I'm just joking.
v
Usually implies a negative or inappropriate attitude, e.g., when someone is being careless about important matters.
to treat something lightly; to not take seriously
用不严肃的态度对待；当作儿戏。
Sentences:
  1. 这(zhè)件(jiàn)事(shì)很(hěn)严(yán)重(zhòng)，不(bù)能(néng)开(kāi)玩(wán)笑(xiào)
    This matter is very serious; you can't treat it lightly.
  2. 他(tā)总(zǒng)开(kāi)玩(wán)笑(xiào)对(duì)待(dài)学(xué)习(xí)，成(chéng)绩(jī)很(hěn)差(chà)
    He always treats studying lightly, so his grades are very poor.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 1
kāi开

to open

HSK 1
wán玩

to play (with); to have fun

HSK 1
xiào笑

to laugh; to smile