Spanish Conversation · Level 36
75 words
Spanish word
burlar
Pronunciation
IPA/buɾˈlaɾ/
Meaning
- verbmock
Example
No te burles de nadie.
Don't mock anyone.
More examples
Los amigos suelen burlarse cariñosamente unos a otros.
Friends often make fun of each other affectionately.
Core concept
Group laughing at a singled-out person.
Common phrases
burlarse de alguien
make fun of someone
burlarse de sí mismo
make fun of oneself
Similar words
burlarse: Makes fun of someone in a teasing, often personal way.
mofarse: Derides someone with scorn, treating them with contempt.
ridiculizar: Ridicules someone publicly, aiming to embarrass or discredit them.
bromear: Playfully teases someone as a joke, without serious malice.
Definition in Spanish
Mofarse de alguien mediante comentarios o gestos que lo ridiculizan; según el contexto, también puede significar esquivar o engañar.
Word origin
Derived from the noun burla 'mockery' with the verb suffix -ar, the Spanish verb broadens from 'make fun of' to include senses of deceiving or eluding.
Usage tips
- English speakers often try to render 'to mock' as burlar + person, but Spanish normally uses the reflexive burlarse de for mocking a person while burlar alone more often means to outwit or escape.