Cool MateI'm just kidding vs I'm totally joking with you
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I'm just kidding
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
I'm totally joking with you
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: I'm just kidding
| I'm just kidding | I'm totally joking with you | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪm dʒʌst ˈkɪdɪŋ//🇺🇸 //aɪm dʒʌst ˈkɪdɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈtəʊtəli ˈdʒəʊkɪŋ wɪð juː//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈtoʊtally ˈjoʊkɪŋ wɪð ju// |
| Meaning | I'm not serious. | I am not serious; I am just playing around. |
| Example | I can't believe you thought I was serious; I'm just kidding! | I said I was moving to Antarctica, but I'm totally joking with you! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | just kidding around, I'm really kidding, seriously joking, not kidding at all | totally joking around, just joking with you, seriously, I'm joking, playfully joking, making a joke |
| Antonyms | I'm serious, I'm not joking, I'm being sincere | - |
| Common mistakes | Used too seriously or in inappropriate situations., Confusing with 'I'm just kidding around', which is less common. | Using in formal settings where jokes may not be appropriate., Confusing with phrases that indicate seriousness., Misplacing emphasis, making it sound like a complaint. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in casual conversations to indicate that you're joking. It's inappropriate in formal settings. | Use this phrase in casual conversations to indicate you are joking. It's too informal for serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: I'm just kidding vs I'm totally joking with you
What's the difference between I'm just kidding and I'm totally joking with you?
I'm just kidding: I'm not serious. I'm totally joking with you: I am not serious; I am just playing around.
Which is more common: I'm just kidding and I'm totally joking with you?
I'm just kidding is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I'm just kidding: I can't believe you thought I was serious; I'm just kidding! I'm totally joking with you: I said I was moving to Antarctica, but I'm totally joking with you!
Can I use I'm just kidding and I'm totally joking with you interchangeably?
Not always. I'm just kidding and I'm totally joking with you are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.