"It's fun" vs "it's funny"

Question

Can somebody please tell what is the difference between these two phrases and whether they both are correct?

Thanks

P.S. I hope it's ok to ask questions about english language, not spanish.

Answer 1

In English, there are some subtle differences between 'fun' and 'funny'.

'Fun' (the noun) usually refers to an activity that is pleasurable and entertaining. It does not have to be 'funny' (comical or causing laughter). For instance, going on a roller coaster and seeing a horror movie can both be 'fun', but may not necessarily be 'funny'.

'Funny' (the adjective) usually describes an event or activity that caused humor, laughter or mirth. ("We saw a funny show at the theater.") When used as an adverb, the word 'funny' often has a meaning of 'odd, unusual, different or queer', rather than laughable, though both may apply. ("That man dresses funny.")

• I think your explanation is the clearest and shortest one =) Thanks - xsway 18 de Ago, 2009

Answer 2

HI xsway, you are welcome to ask any question you need, either for English or Spanish

I am a Spanish native, I consider:

It's fun: es divertido It's funny: es cómico

This film is funny: es cómico, te ríes, es divertido verlo

This bar is great fun. Este bar es divertido, hay gente muy maja, se puede uno divertir, hay buena música....

Answer 3

If something is "fun", it's something you enjoy doing - dancing, reading, hiking, listening to music, going to parties - something that puts a smile on your face.

As far as "funny", if you asked 100 English-speaking people what the word meant, the first response for 99 would be "something that makes me laugh". However, as Lazarus pointed out, there are other meanings that are common:

"I feel funny." = "I feel sick." "She gave me a funny look." = "She looked at me strangely." (In fact, often people will ask for clarification: "Do you mean 'funny/strange' or 'funny/ha-ha?") "He was passing 'funny money'" = "He was passing counterfeit money." "funny business" = doing something improper or illegal "funny farm" = (a not-so-nice way of saying) a mental hospital

Hope this helps.

• You are quite right about the various usages of the word funny, but, usually it does mean cómico. - Nathaniel 17 de Ago, 2009

Answer 4

"It’s funny” means that something is amusing, that it makes you laugh; for example a joke can be funny or a person.

“It’s fun” means that something is cool, that you enjoy it; for example a party can be fun, or it can be fun to do something you like (like swimming, going on a rollercoaster)

Answer 5

Básicamente, son dos palabras con significados bien distintos. Mientras que "fun" es diversión o entretenimiento, "funny" significa gracioso, cómico, extraño, sospechoso, poco agradable (Reino Unido solo), desagradable, algo enfermo o con mal cuerpo, alocado,... todo menos entretenido. Aunque gracioso es su significado más corriente, sin contexto no se puede traducir.

• I'm not so sure about your "Reino Unido solo)". "Funny money" and "funny business" would probably fall under your "unqualified "sospechoso" but "Are you trying to be funny?" is most often said with hostility and (on the face of it) assumes/questions the " - samdie 17 de Ago, 2009

Answer 6

For those of you who are still unsure about the difference in Spanish between "It's Fun" and "It's Funny" it is really quite simple. In Spanish, It's Funny= Es Cómico, and It's Fun= Es Divertido. The way I think of it is that if you think a person, a joke, or a situation is funny, or makes you laugh, then you would use cómico, but if you are talking about how fun it is to go bowling, for instance, or that a trip to the mall would be fun, you would use divertido. Does that help you, xsway? I am not entirely sure if that is what you meant, but I hope it helps. Although both phrases are correct, just use whether you are laughing at something funny or just having fun as the distinction.

• changed your weather to whether - qfreed 17 de Ago, 2009
• oops thanks I will change that now... - Theet 17 de Ago, 2009

Answer 7

Yes, both phrases are correct, and I agree with Heidita:

1) It's fun = es divertido 2) It's funny = es chistoso

Answer 8

Thanks for your answers but I´m not spanish speaker so it´s not clear still.

• It's not a question of being a Spanish speaker but, rather, of recognising that that "fun" and "funny" mean different things in English (appart from one being a noun and the other an adjective). We use closely related words for different concepts. - samdie 17 de Ago, 2009

Answer 9

Lazarus, the poster said he/she is not a Spanish speaker.

I hope the answers by Carolina, theet and DR were clear enough.

Answer 10

Lazarus, the poster said he/she is not a Spanish speaker.

Ok, then "fun" is about enjoying something that you do, whereas "funny" means lots of things, depending on the context. The most usual meaning of "funny" is "that makes you laugh", but it also means "strange", "unpleasant", "a bit sick" (not healthy), "crazy", "unfriendly", "dishonest", used even to refer to bad tastes, smells and behaviours. Basically, "funny" has very little to do with "fun".

Answer 11

xsway said

Thanks for your answers but I´m not spanish speaker so it´s not clear still.

You say you are not Spanish but are you English? I ask because DR1960's explantion above is so concise, in fact it has received two votes. What don't you understand?

Answer 12

Thanks a lot for your answers, I think now I understand the difference in theory. So I will try to use it correctly while speaking =)