How to say "prank" in Japanese

• いたずらJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe general word for a prank, practical joke, or trick, and for mischief more broadly; the natural choice when someone plays a trick, and normally written in kana.
  少年しょうねんたちは時々ときどき先生せんせいにいたずらしたものだった。↗

  Sometimes the boys would play a trick on their teacher.
• 悪ふざけわるふざけCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbAlso means a prank or practical joke, but leans toward horseplay — boisterous, mischievous fooling around — so it fits rough or silly antics better than a simple trick.
  トムは私に悪わるふざけをしては笑わらう。↗

  Tom enjoys playing tricks on me.

Use 「いたずら」 as the general word for a prank, trick, or practical joke and for mischief broadly; choose 「悪ふざけ」 when the sense leans toward horseplay or mischievous, boisterous fooling around.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• いたずらmischief
• 悪ふざけわるふざけprank
• 戯れ事ざれごとprank
• 悪遊びわるあそびprank
• 転合てんごうprank
• ふざけplay
• おいたmischief
• どっきりprank