Difference between “broma” and “chiste”

Question

Both words broma and chiste translate to the English word joke. What's the difference between these two Spanish words, and how do I know when to use each one?

Answer 1

The main difference that comes to my mind is that chiste can be something witty that you tell, like a joke. For example, the "three guys walk into a bar..." thing.

While broma is a joke that you play on someone, such as putting a sign at the wrong place.

A broma inocente is a joke played on someone that makes the "victim" laugh together with the ones who did the joke, something light; while a broma pesada is a joke that went a little too far.

If we go worse than that, then we're talking about a burla.

Answer 2

Chiste is a relatively simple concept as explained in the other answers. The thing is that broma is a complex word that has many meanings:

• Bulla, algazara, diversión.
• Chanza, burla.
• Persona o cosa pesada y molesta.

You need many words in english to explain what broma really is: to make fun of, to mock, to kid around, to have fun.

Answer 3

• broma is like "prank" in English.

Example:

Le hicimos una broma a Carlos.

Aquellos niños le hicieron una broma pesada a Juan.

• chiste is like "to tell a joke".

Example

El profesor nos contó un chiste que nos hizo reir.