scherzare

to joke

verb sker-TSAH-reh Rare

Also means

to jest

Usage Note

Scherzare uses avere as its auxiliary. The common phrase stai scherzando? (are you joking?) is heard constantly in conversation. The noun scherzo (joke, prank) also appears in music for a lively movement (lo scherzo in a symphony). Do not confuse scherzare with giocare (to play a game).

Examples

"Stava scherzando con i colleghi."

Natural Translation

He was joking with his colleagues.

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