Translation and Meaning of: 揶揄う - karakau

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about words that express subtle actions, you may have come across the term 揶揄う [からかう]. This word carries an interesting meaning and is used in specific contexts of everyday Japanese life. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is perceived in the Japanese language, as well as tips for memorizing it efficiently.

揶揄う [からかう] is a verb that describes a common action in social interactions, but it can have different nuances depending on the context. If you want to understand how the Japanese use this word in daily life or are looking for ways to incorporate it into your vocabulary, keep reading to discover everything about it.

Meaning and use of 揶揄う [からかう]

揶揄う [からかう] can be translated as "to mock," "to tease," or "to playfully provoke." Unlike direct insults, this word usually has a lighter tone, almost like a joke among friends. However, depending on the intonation and context, it can also carry a more malicious tone.

A common example of usage is when someone makes light jokes about a friend to tease them without the intention of offending. However, it is important to remember that, just like in Portuguese, the line between joking and offending can be thin. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the tone of voice and the relationship between the people involved.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji writing of 揶揄う[からかう] is composed of two characters: 揶 (ya) and 揄 (yu). These kanjis are rarely used in isolation and appear almost exclusively in this combination. The reading からかう (karakau) is a kun'yomi form, meaning the native Japanese pronunciation associated with the meaning of the word.

Interestingly, many Japanese people choose to write this word only in hiragana (からかう) due to the complexity of the kanji. This is common in words whose ideograms are rarely used in everyday life. If you are learning Japanese, you may encounter both forms, but the hiragana version is more common in informal texts.

Tips for memorizing 揶揄う [からかう]

An effective way to memorize this word is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine a scene where friends are playfully teasing each other – this is the perfect setting to use からかう. Creating flashcards with example sentences also helps, especially if you practice with real-life situations.

Another tip is to pay attention to dialogues in animes or Japanese dramas, where this verb appears quite frequently in scenes of interaction between characters. Listening to the pronunciation and seeing the context in which it is used makes it easier to internalize the term. Over time, you will start to recognize when and how to use it naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• からかう (karakau) - Tease, make fun of someone playfully.
• 冷やかす (hiyakasu) - Making fun of someone, often sarcastically or with the intention of ridiculing.
• あざける (azakeru) - To mock or jeer at someone in a despicable or cruel manner.

揶揄う

Romaji: karakau
Kana: からかう
Type: Verb
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: ridicule; to tease; play with

Meaning in English: to ridicule;to tease;to banter with;to make fun of

Definition: Mock or criticize someone or something in a playful manner.

Example Sentences - (揶揄う) karakau

See below some example sentences:

彼はいつも私を揶揄う。

Kare wa itsumo watashi o yayau

He always teases me.

He always ridiculed me.

• 彼 (kare) - personal pronoun meaning "he"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "he"
• いつも (itsumo) - adverb meaning "always"
• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates that "I" is the object of the action
• 揶揄う (yayau) - verb meaning "to mock" or "to ridicule"