Translation guide
A trick played on someone to make them look foolish or to amuse others, typically involving a physical setup or deception.
To play a trick on someone for fun, often involving a setup.
The most common word for a prank or mischievous trick. Can range from harmless to mean-spirited.
He often plays practical jokes.
That's a mean practical joke.
Kanji form of いたずら, often used in writing. Same meaning.
I'm troubled by the children's pranks.
To set up or play a prank on someone. Emphasizes the act of planning and executing.
I played a practical joke on my friend.
A prank that goes too far or is in bad taste; horseplay. Implies a more negative or disruptive act.
His practical joke ruined the party.
Usually means 'joke' (verbal), but can sometimes refer to a playful trick. Not the primary word for physical pranks.
Use いたずら for physical pranks; 冗談 is mainly for verbal jokes.
I meant it as a joke (not a serious prank).
A planned trick often involving a fake situation to surprise or fool someone, similar to TV prank shows.
A light-hearted, often childish prank that causes no real harm.
いたずら is a general term for pranks, from childish mischief to mean tricks. ドッキリ specifically refers to surprise pranks, often staged and recorded, like those on TV variety shows. Use ドッキリ when the prank is designed to shock or surprise someone in an elaborate setup.
The English phrase 'practical joke' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese. Using 実用的な冗談 would be nonsensical. Stick to いたずら or ドッキリ depending on the context.
I pulled a prank on my friend (like a hidden camera stunt).