Learn more about this word
冗談
Jodan covers both a told joke and a throwaway remark. The set phrase jodan desu means "I am kidding" and is the standard way to defuse a comment that landed badly. Softer and more common in daily speech than the loanword joku.
Examples in context
今のは冗談だから、本気にしないで。
That was a joke, so do not take it seriously.
彼は冗談が上手で、いつも場をなごませる。
He is good at jokes and always lightens the mood.
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