How to Say ‘(used to say something is true/real; here: “just” as in “just kidding”)’ in Simplified Chinese
的
de
[de]
💬 Usage Tip: Here 的 helps turn the whole phrase into "that was the case," so 开玩笑的 means "just joking." You'll also hear this pattern in replies like 真的 ("really") and 假的 ("fake / not true").
Phrase Breakdown
的
de
[de]
(particle) indicating explanation/clarification: “(I’m) …-ing / it was …”
In 开玩笑的, 的 marks it as an explanatory phrase meaning “(I was) just joking.”
别当真，我是开玩笑的。
Don’t take it seriously; I’m just joking.
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