Japanese word

からかう

Pronunciation

Romajikarakau

Meaning

  • verbtease

Example

兄はいつも妹をからかいます。ani wa i tsu mo imōto o ka ra ka i ma su

My older brother always teases my younger sister.

Illustration for からかう (tease)

More examples

彼は悪意なくからかっているつもりでも、相手を傷つけることがあります。kare wa aku i na ku ka ra ka tte i ru tsu mo ri de mo ai te o kizu tsu ke ru ko to ga a ri ma su

Even if he thinks he is teasing without any ill will, he may hurt the other person.

Core concept

It involves deliberately provoking someone with words or actions for amusement, often in a playful but potentially annoying way.

Common phrases

  • 人をからかうhito o ka ra ka u

    tease someone

Similar words

いじるijiru: To tease someone repeatedly, often by making that person the subject of jokes.
冷やかすhiyakasu: To make fun of someone, often by calling attention to a personal matter.
茶化すchakasu: To treat a serious matter or person in a joking way.

Definition in Japanese

相手の反応を面白がり、冗談や意地悪な言動で困らせたり笑いの種にしたりする。ai te no han nō o omo shiro ga ri jō dan ya i ji waru na gen dō de koma ra se ta ri wara i no shu ni shi ta ri su ru

Word origin

The native verb からかう (karakau, "tease") developed from the related verb からかす (karakasu, "tease"); the exact details of this change are not certain.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, からかう (karakau) can describe teasing between close friends, but the word does not by itself show that the target enjoys it.

Other meanings

  • make fun ofverb

Related words

  • からかいkarakaiteasingnoun
  • からかい方karakaikataway of teasingnoun

Word lists with this word