How to say "joker" in Japanese

• ジョーカーCommon
  nounThe general term for the joker playing card, borrowed from English; use it for the card and its role in card games generally, though in old maid the card is called ばば.
  彼かれは、ジョーカーを持もっています。↗

  He has the Joker.
• ばばCommon
  nounSpecifically the joker card in the game of old maid — the card players try not to be left holding; it is not a general word for joker, and is normally written in kana.

Use 「ジョーカー」 for the joker playing card in general, and 「ばば」 only for the joker card in the game of old maid, where it is the card nobody wants to be left holding.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ジョーカーjoker
• いちびりprankster
• ひょうきん者ひょうきんものfunny person
• たわけ者たわけものidiot
• 戯け者おどけものidiot
• こっけい者こっけいしゃidiot
• ばばjoker (in old maid)
• 茶目ちゃめjoker
• お茶目おちゃめjoker
• 鬼札おにふだextra card (in hanafuda, kabufuda, etc.; sometimes depicting an ogre)