Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Ridicule" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "ridicule", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
あざ笑う
あざわらう (azawarau)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
揶揄する
やゆする (yayusuru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "ridicule" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あざ笑う and 揶揄する.
In Japanese, あざ笑う (あざわらう (azawarau)) is typically associated with "to ridicule, to sneer at, to mock" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To laugh at someone or something in a scornful or contemptuous way..
On the other hand, 揶揄する (やゆする (yayusuru)) maps to "ridicule, mock" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "ridicule" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "あざ笑う"
彼の失敗をあざ笑う者は誰もいなかった。
No one mocked his failure.
Bilingual Context for "揶揄する"
私は揶揄するに興味があります。
I am interested in ridicule, mock.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の失敗を ＿＿＿ 者は誰もいなかった。" (Meaning: "No one mocked his failure.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あざ笑う" fits here because it means "to ridicule, to sneer at, to mock" in the context of: "No one mocked his failure.". "揶揄する" represents "ridicule, mock".