Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Tease" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "tease", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
からかう
からかう (karakau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ひやかす
ひやかす (hiyakasu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "tease" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between からかう and ひやかす.
In Japanese, からかう (からかう (karakau)) is typically associated with "to tease, to make fun of" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents To playfully or mockingly make jokes about someone or something. Can range from lighthearted teasing.
On the other hand, ひやかす (ひやかす (hiyakasu)) maps to "to tease; to make fun of; to ridicule; to banter; to window-shop" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Two main meanings: 1. To tease someone good-naturedly. A literal translation of "tease" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "からかう"
彼はいつも私をからかってくる。
He always teases me.
Bilingual Context for "ひやかす"
友達が彼女のことをひやかした。
My friends teased him about his girlfriend.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はいつも私をからかってくる。" (Meaning: "He always teases me.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "からかう" fits here because it means "to tease, to make fun of" in the context of: "He always teases me.". "ひやかす" represents "to tease; to make fun of; to ridicule; to banter; to window-shop".