じゃらす

じゃ

ら

す

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Used for playful, often light-hearted teasing or toying with someone, especially children or pets. Can imply a gentle, affectionate interaction.

猫ねこをじゃらすのが好すきだ。
I like to play with the cat.

弟おとうとはよく妹いもうとをじゃらして泣なかせる。

My younger brother often teases my younger sister and makes her cry.

Written forms

じゃらすUsage100%
Usually written in kana. The kanji forms 戯らす and 戯す are rare and may not be widely recognized.
戯じゃらす
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.
戯じゃらす
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.

Kanji

戯frolic, play, sport

Similar words

からかう
からかう is more general for teasing or making fun of someone, often with a slightly negative nuance. じゃらす is softer and often used for playful, affectionate teasing, especially with children or animals.
いじる
いじる can mean to fiddle with or tease, but it often implies physical touching or meddling. じゃらす focuses on playful interaction without necessarily involving physical contact.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the mimetic word じゃらじゃら (jingle, rattle) or the verb 戯れる (じゃれる, to frolic), but the exact derivation is unclear.