estava apenas brincando

was just joking

→ estar

phrase Rare #33,330

was just joking Used to clarify that something said or done was not serious. The subject is often omitted; the context determines whether it means “I was just joking,” “he was just joking,” or “she was just joking.”

PO: Não fique chateado — eu estava apenas brincando.

EN: Don't get upset—I was just joking.

Eu estava apenas brincando.

I was just kidding.

— Meu Amigo Ivan Lapshin (1985)

Eu pensei que Tom estava apenas brincando.

I thought Tom was just joking.

Estava apenas brincando.

I was just kidding.

— Suspiria (1977)

Tom pensou que Mary estava apenas brincando, mas ela não estava.

Tom thought Mary was just joking, but she wasn’t.

Pensei que Tom estava apenas brincando.

I thought Tom was just joking.

Eu estava apenas brincando com você.

I was just kidding with you.