Translation guide
Expressing mockery, scorn, or derision toward someone or something. Japanese offers verbs, nouns, and set phrases that range from light teasing to harsh contempt.
The most common, general sense: to laugh at someone or treat them as ridiculous, often in a hurtful way.
A strong verb meaning to sneer at or scorn someone openly. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
彼は私の失敗を嘲笑った。
He ridiculed my mistake.
The most common everyday phrase for 'make fun of' or 'ridicule.' Can be used for light teasing or serious mockery depending on context.
A verb meaning to mock or scoff at someone, often with a nuance of contempt. Slightly more formal than 馬鹿にする.
Means to tease or make fun of someone playfully. Not as harsh as 'ridicule,' but can be used for mild mockery.
To sneer or ridicule with a cold, contemptuous attitude. Strongly negative and often used in formal writing.
彼は私の努力を冷笑した。
He ridiculed my efforts with a sneer.
When a person is made a laughingstock or openly mocked by many people.
To make someone a laughingstock; to expose them to public ridicule.
彼はみんなの前で物笑いにされた。
He was ridiculed in front of everyone.
Referring to the concept or instance of ridicule itself.
Mocking or dismissing a concept, plan, or object as absurd.
The verb form of 嘲笑. Used for ridiculing ideas, theories, or proposals.
彼はその理論を嘲笑した。
He ridiculed the theory.
馬鹿にする is the everyday phrase for 'make fun of' and can range from light teasing to serious mockery. 嘲笑う is stronger and more literary, implying open scorn or sneering. Use 馬鹿にする in most daily situations.
彼は私を馬鹿にした。
He made fun of me. (could be light or serious)
彼は私を嘲笑った。
He sneered at me. (always harsh)
彼はいつも私を馬鹿にする。
He always ridicules me.
そんなことを言うと、馬鹿にされるよ。
If you say that, you'll be ridiculed.
彼は私の提案を嘲った。
He ridiculed my proposal.
友達は私の新しい髪型をからかった。
My friends ridiculed my new haircut (in a teasing way).
Similar to 物笑いにする, meaning to turn someone into an object of ridicule.
彼の失敗はクラス中の笑い者になった。
His mistake became the ridicule of the whole class.
To publicly expose someone to shame or ridicule, often with a nuance of punishment or humiliation.
彼は不正をして晒し者にされた。
He was publicly ridiculed for cheating.
The standard noun for 'ridicule' or 'scorn.' Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼の提案は嘲笑の的になった。
His proposal became the target of ridicule.
Noun form of 嘲る, meaning mockery or derision. Can be used in everyday speech.
彼の言葉にはあざけりが込められていた。
His words were filled with ridicule.
A cold sneer or contemptuous ridicule. Often used in literary or critical writing.
彼の顔には冷笑が浮かんでいた。
A look of ridicule appeared on his face.
Also works for ideas or things, though it's more common for people. Still natural in casual speech.
彼は私の計画を馬鹿にした。
He ridiculed my plan.
Literally 'to laugh through one's nose,' meaning to scoff or ridicule dismissively. Often used for ideas.
彼は私の提案を鼻で笑った。
He ridiculed my suggestion with a scoff.
English 'ridicule' can be a strong word. In Japanese, directly translating it as 嘲笑する or 冷笑する in casual conversation may sound overly dramatic or bookish. Stick to 馬鹿にする or からかう unless you intend a formal or harsh tone.