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
冷やかす
ひやかす (hiyakasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "tease" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between からかう and 冷やかす.
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, 冷やかす (ひやかす (hiyakasu)) maps to "tease; banter; make fun of; window-shop (without buying)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to teasing/bantering someone. 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 "冷やかす"
付き合い始めたばかりの二人を、周囲の友達は寄ってたかって_______ました。
The friends around them gathered together and teased the couple who had just started dating.
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.". "冷やかす" represents "tease; banter; make fun of; window-shop (without buying)".