How to Say ‘Just kidding.’ in Simplified Chinese
开玩笑的。
💬 Usage Tip: Short for [我是开玩笑的] (“I’m joking”). Very handy after a playful line like [红包拿来！].
🇨🇳 In China: Saying this can instantly turn a “demand” into friendly teasing—important in New Year banter.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
开玩笑
[kāi wán xiào]
to joke; to be kidding
Together with 的, 开玩笑的 is a common spoken way to say “just kidding.”
刚才那句“红包拿来”是开玩笑的。
That “hand over the red envelope” just now was a joke.
的
[de]
(particle) indicating “it was…” / “just…”
Adds the sense of explanation/softening: 开玩笑的 = “just joking,” not serious.
我说着玩的，开玩笑的。
I was just messing around—only joking.
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