Translation guide
Playful, silly, or foolish behavior, often lighthearted and not meant to cause harm.
Describing lighthearted, silly antics or joking around, often among friends or children.
General term for fooling around, joking, or acting silly. Can be used as a noun or part of a verb phrase.
彼のふざけにはいつも笑わされる。
His tomfoolery always makes me laugh.
Mischief or pranks, often harmless and playful. Can refer to the act or the person doing it.
Playful, silly behavior, often with a nuance of clowning around. More casual and lighthearted.
会議中におちゃらけはやめてください。
Please stop the tomfoolery during the meeting.
Mischief that goes too far, pranks that may cause trouble or annoyance. Implies a slightly negative or excessive silliness.
Joke or jest. Can be used for verbal tomfoolery, but less about physical antics.
Referring to actions that are senseless, ridiculous, or lacking seriousness, often in a disapproving tone.
Foolish or absurd thing/act. Stronger than playful silliness; implies stupidity or pointlessness.
そんなばかげたことはやめなさい。
Stop that tomfoolery.
ふざけ is general fooling around, often verbal or physical jokes. いたずら is more about pranks or mischief, often done by children. 悪ふざけ implies the prank has gone too far and caused trouble or annoyance.
彼はいつもふざけてばかりいる。
He's always fooling around.
子供がいたずらで先生を困らせた。
The child played a prank and troubled the teacher.
悪ふざけが過ぎて怪我をした。
The tomfoolery went too far and someone got hurt.
子供たちのいたずらに手を焼いている。
I'm at my wits' end with the children's tomfoolery.
彼の悪ふざけでパーティーが台無しになった。
His tomfoolery ruined the party.
そんな冗談は通じないよ。
That kind of tomfoolery won't fly here.
Foolish act, folly. More formal and literary, often used in serious criticism.
彼の愚行には呆れるばかりだ。
I'm simply amazed at his tomfoolery.
Wild or boisterous foolishness, often involving noise and chaos. Can be used for rowdy tomfoolery.
昨夜の馬鹿騒ぎで近所から苦情が来た。
We got complaints from the neighbors about last night's tomfoolery.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'tomfoolery'. Using a direct translation like 愚かしい行為 may sound unnatural. Choose the option that best fits the nuance of the situation.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'tomfoolery'. Using a direct translation like 愚かしい行為 may sound unnatural. Choose the option that best fits the nuance of the situation.