How to say "tease" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- godan verb, transitive verbCovers teasing in the sense of making fun of someone — playful banter or mocking remarks at another person's expense. The word to reach for when 'tease' means poking fun at someone.
- godan verb, transitive verbTeasing that tantalizes: tormenting someone by keeping them waiting, withholding something, or leaving them in suspense. Not about making fun of a person; the teasing here works through frustration and anticipation.
- ichidan verb, transitive verbAlthough it can be translated 'tease,' this word really means to bully, torment, or pick on someone — hurtful, one-sided mistreatment. It is seldom the word you want for playful teasing; use からかう for that.
Use 「からかう」 for teasing that makes fun of someone, 「じらす」 for teasing that tantalizes or keeps a person in suspense, and 「いじめる」 for bullying — cruel mistreatment rather than teasing in the playful sense.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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