おどける

お

ど

け

る

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

joke; jest; play the fool

usually written using kana alone

Only with reading おどける

To act in a playful, joking manner; often involves silly gestures or light-hearted teasing. The reading is おどける.

そんなにおどけないで、まじめに話はなして。

Stop fooling around and talk seriously.

2

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

act silly; behave indecently

usually written using kana alone

Only with reading おどける

To act in a foolish or indecent manner, often with a nuance of being overly silly or inappropriate. Less common than sense 1. The reading is おどける.

ふざける
ふざける is more common and can mean 'to mess around' or 'to play', often with a slightly rougher or more childish nuance. おどける is lighter and more about playful jesting or clowning.
冗じょう談だんを言いう
冗談を言う means 'to tell a joke' verbally, while おどける includes physical clowning and playful behavior.

The origin is uncertain. The reading おどける may be related to 戯れ (たわむれ) or 戯言 (たわごと), but the exact derivation is unclear.