Это типа шутка?

Here типа is a colloquial particle, not a literal noun meaning type.

In this sentence, it adds a tone like:

• like
• sort of
• supposedly
• what, is this... ?

So Это типа шутка? is not just Is this a joke? It sounds more like:

• Is this supposed to be a joke?
• This is, like, a joke?
• What, is this some kind of joke?

It often shows skepticism, annoyance, or disbelief.

Because Russian normally omits the present-tense form of быть (to be).

So:

• Это шутка? = Is this a joke?
• literally something like This a joke?

That is completely normal in Russian. You do not need a separate word for is in a present-tense sentence like this.

Because это here is not directly describing шутка.

It is a standalone word meaning something like:

• this
• that
• it
• this thing / this situation

So the structure is basically:

• Это = this / that / it
• шутка = a joke

If you were saying this joke as one noun phrase, then you would say эта шутка.

Compare:

• Это шутка. = This is a joke.
• Эта шутка. = This joke.

So это does not have to match шутка in gender here.

Good question. Sometimes типа does introduce a noun in the genitive, especially in meanings like of the type of or like in a more structural sense.

For example, in other contexts you may see things built like:

• напиток типа чая = a drink like tea / tea-type drink

But in Это типа шутка?, типа is acting more like a discourse particle than a normal word governing a case.

The underlying structure is still:

• Это шутка?

and типа is inserted to add attitude:

• Это типа шутка?

So шутка stays in the nominative.

It is informal and fairly colloquial.

The word типа is very common in everyday speech, especially in casual conversation, but it is not something you would normally want in careful formal writing.

A more neutral version would be:

• Это шутка?

A more conversational but still skeptical version could be:

• Это что, шутка?

It often can.

Because of типа, the sentence usually sounds more:

• skeptical
• dismissive
• irritated
• sarcastic

Depending on tone of voice, it can mean something close to:

• Are you serious?
• You call that a joke?
• Is this supposed to be funny?

So yes, it can easily sound sharp or confrontational.

Yes.

If you say:

• Это шутка?

that is the basic, straightforward version: Is this a joke?

Adding типа changes the tone, not the core meaning. It makes the sentence more colloquial and more emotionally colored.

So the difference is roughly:

• Это шутка? = neutral question
• Это типа шутка? = skeptical, annoyed, or sarcastic question

In this exact form, with a question mark, it is understood as a question.

So:

• Это типа шутка? = Is this supposed to be a joke?

If you remove the question intonation and say:

• Это типа шутка.

then in context it could mean something like:

• It’s, like, a joke
• It’s kind of a joke

But that would still sound colloquial, and the exact meaning would depend a lot on context and intonation.

The main stresses are:

• Э́то ти́па шу́тка?

In a normal yes-no question, the intonation usually rises toward the end, especially on шутка.

Also, in fast casual speech, типа may be said a bit lightly because it works like a conversational filler or particle. The emotional force is often carried by the intonation more than by the word itself.