Translation guide
Expressing contempt, ridicule, or mockery toward someone or something. Japanese uses various nouns, verbs, and adjectives to convey derision, often depending on the target and intensity.
To express that someone or something is being laughed at in a scornful way.
A formal noun meaning 'derision' or 'scornful laughter'. Often used in written or serious contexts.
His proposal became an object of derision.
A noun meaning 'derisive laughter' or 'sneer'. Slightly more literary than 嘲笑.
He gave a derisive laugh.
A noun meaning 'derisive smile' or 'sneer'. Implies cold, contemptuous amusement.
She let out a sneer.
To describe the action of treating someone or something with contemptuous laughter or scorn.
A verb meaning 'to deride' or 'to sneer at'. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
The crowd derided him.
A common phrase meaning 'to make fun of' or 'to ridicule'. More colloquial than 嘲笑う.
A verb meaning 'to mock' or 'to deride'. Similar to 嘲笑う but slightly more formal.
To describe a facial expression or manner that shows contempt or ridicule.
To refer to someone or something that is widely mocked or ridiculed.
嘲笑 (ちょうしょう) is the most general term for derision and can be used in formal contexts. あざ笑い (あざわらい) emphasizes the act of laughing scornfully, often with a visible sneer. 冷笑 (れいしょう) specifically refers to a cold, contemptuous smile, implying a sense of superiority.
Direct translations like 'derision' as a standalone noun may not always sound natural in Japanese. It is often better to use a verb phrase like 馬鹿にする or a noun like 笑い者 depending on the context.
彼はいつも私を馬鹿にする。
He always derides me.
彼らは彼の失敗を嘲った。
They derided his failure.
彼の目には蔑みの色があった。
There was a look of derision in his eyes.
If you do that, you'll become an object of derision.