French Conversation · Level 56
75 words
French word
moquer
Pronunciation
IPA/moke/
Meaning
- verbtease
Example
Ils se moquent souvent de son accent.
They often tease him about his accent.
More examples
On ne doit pas se moquer des autres.
One must not mock others.
Core concept
A person is made to look small by laughter or ridicule, from playful teasing to open contempt.
Common phrases
se moquer de
mock
se moquer de quelqu'un
mock someone
se moquer de quelque chose
mock something
Similar words
taquiner: To tease someone lightly in a joking way.
ridiculiser: To publicly make someone a laughingstock and shame them.
humilier: To shame someone deeply and cause serious emotional pain.
insulter: To verbally attack someone with insulting words and hurt them.
Definition in French
Faire de la moquerie à l'égard de quelqu'un; selon le contexte, signifier une taquinerie légère ou une moquerie méprisante.
Word origin
Moquer comes through Old French moquier, while its deeper etymology remains uncertain.
Usage tips
- In its common pronominal form, se moquer de takes de before the target, as in se moquer de son accent.
Other meanings
- make fun of ___verb
- mockverb
Opposites
- encouragerencourageverb
- complimentercomplimentverb
Related words
- moquerieridiculenoun
- moquéridiculedadjective