Translation guide
To tease, mock, or ridicule someone or something, often in a light-hearted or mean-spirited way.
To joke about someone in a friendly, non-serious manner.
The most common and natural way to say 'make fun of' in a playful, teasing sense. It implies light-hearted joking without malice.
He always makes fun of me.
Don't make fun of me.
Often used for playful teasing among friends, similar to 'roasting' or 'poking fun at'. Can also mean 'to fiddle with' something physically.
I like being teased by my friends.
Literally 'to say a joke'. Can be used when the teasing is verbal and jokey, but it's broader than 'make fun of'.
I made fun of him by telling jokes.
To make fun of someone in a mean, insulting, or contemptuous way.
Means 'to make a fool of' or 'to ridicule'. Stronger and more negative than からかう. Implies looking down on someone.
He made fun of my opinion.
To sneer or mock with laughter. More literary or dramatic than ばかにする.
Formal term for 'ridicule' or 'mockery'. Often used in written or formal contexts.
His proposal was ridiculed.
To mock or ridicule an idea, thing, or situation.
To copy someone's voice, mannerisms, or appearance to make fun of them.
Means 'to imitate'. When used in a mocking context, it implies making fun of someone by copying them.
He made fun of the teacher by imitating his way of speaking and made everyone laugh.
Specifically means 'to do an impression' or 'to mimic'. Often used for comedic impersonations.
からかう is playful teasing, often among friends. ばかにする is mean-spirited ridicule, implying contempt. Use からかう for light-hearted fun, and ばかにする when someone is being insulting.
It's fun to tease friends.
He made fun of me and I was really hurt.
Do not translate 'make fun of' literally as 楽しみを作る or similar. It does not mean 'create enjoyment'. Use the verbs and phrases listed above.
Don't make fun of people.
He sneered at my failure.
彼は私のアクセントをからかった。
He made fun of my accent.
He makes fun of people by doing impressions of celebrities.