Translation guide
To tease, mock, or ridicule someone or something, often in a light-hearted or mean-spirited way.
To joke about someone in a friendly, non-serious manner.
The most common and natural way to say 'make fun of' in a playful, teasing sense. It implies light-hearted joking without malice.
彼はいつも私をからかう。
He always makes fun of me.
からかわないでよ。
Don't make fun of me.
Often used for playful teasing among friends, similar to 'roasting' or 'poking fun at'. Can also mean 'to fiddle with' something physically.
友達にいじられるのが好きだ。
I like being teased by my friends.
Literally 'to say a joke'. Can be used when the teasing is verbal and jokey, but it's broader than 'make fun of'.
冗談を言って彼をからかった。
I made fun of him by telling jokes.
To make fun of someone in a mean, insulting, or contemptuous way.
Means 'to make a fool of' or 'to ridicule'. Stronger and more negative than からかう. Implies looking down on someone.
彼は私の意見をばかにした。
He made fun of my opinion.
人をばかにするな。
Don't make fun of people.
To sneer or mock with laughter. More literary or dramatic than ばかにする.
Formal term for 'ridicule' or 'mockery'. Often used in written or formal contexts.
彼の提案は嘲笑された。
His proposal was ridiculed.
To mock or ridicule an idea, thing, or situation.
Works for both people and things. When used for things, it means to dismiss or ridicule them.
彼はそのルールをばかにしている。
He makes fun of that rule.
Can be used for things if the teasing is light-hearted, but it's more common with people.
To copy someone's voice, mannerisms, or appearance to make fun of them.
Means 'to imitate'. When used in a mocking context, it implies making fun of someone by copying them.
彼は先生の話し方をまねて笑わせた。
He made fun of the teacher by imitating his way of speaking and made everyone laugh.
Specifically means 'to do an impression' or 'to mimic'. Often used for comedic impersonations.
彼は有名人の物まねをして人をからかう。
He makes fun of people by doing impressions of celebrities.
からかう is playful teasing, often among friends. ばかにする is mean-spirited ridicule, implying contempt. Use からかう for light-hearted fun, and ばかにする when someone is being insulting.
友達をからかうのは楽しい。
It's fun to tease friends.
彼は私をばかにして、本当に傷ついた。
He made fun of me and I was really hurt.
Do not translate 'make fun of' literally as 楽しみを作る or similar. It does not mean 'create enjoyment'. Use the verbs and phrases listed above.
彼は失敗をあざ笑った。
He sneered at my failure.
彼は私のアクセントをからかった。
He made fun of my accent.