How to say "ridicule" in Japanese

• 揶揄やゆCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the lighter, teasing side of ridicule — banter and raillery rather than cruel mockery. Fits contexts like friends or colleagues trading playful jibes at one another's quirks.
• 愚弄ぐろうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbHarsh, contemptuous ridicule: mockery and derision that makes a fool of its target. Suits strong condemnation of statements or behavior one finds worthy of scorn, not light teasing.
  貧まずしい人ひとを愚弄ぐろうしてはいけない。↗

  You should not fool with poor people.
• 嘲るあざけるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb for ridiculing: to scoff at, laugh at, or make fun of someone or something. Use it when describing the act itself, from mocking a person's failure to scoffing at an idea.
  無神論むしんろん者しゃが司教しきょうの説明せつめいをあざけった。↗

  The irreligious scoffed at the bishop's interpretation.

Choose 揶揄 for light, teasing ridicule close to banter, 愚弄 for harsh, contemptuous mockery and derision, and 「嘲る」 when you need a verb describing the act of scoffing at or making fun of someone.

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

• 揶揄やゆbanter
• 愚弄ぐろうmockery
• 嘲るあざけるto scoff
• 嘲笑ちょうしょうscornful laughter
• 嘲りあざけりridicule
• あざ笑うあざわらうto laugh at
• 嘲弄ちょうろうscorn
• 笑うわらうto sneer
• なぶるto ridicule