Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| burlarse de | /buɾlaɾse de/ (from spelling rules) | |
| pitorrearse | /pitoreaɾse/ (from spelling rules) | |
| recochinearse | /rekot͡ʃineˈaɾse/ | |
| lornear | /loɾneaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Peru |
If you want to imply a more deliberate and often hurtful form of mocking, you might use ridiculizar.
Which one should you use?
Meterse con is an informal phrase used to mean making fun of or messing with someone, often in a lighthearted way. For playful teasing, you can use the informal expression tomar el pelo a. In the specific context of Peru, the word lornear is used to mean making fun of someone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase echar carrilla a is used to mean making fun of or teasing someone in a playful manner. In Peru, the term lornear is a regionalism used specifically for making fun of someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb burlarse de is reflexive, meaning you must use a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) before the conjugated verb. Additionally, you must include the preposition de before the person or object being ridiculed.
How do you pronounce it?
/buɾlaɾse de/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using burlarse de, do not forget to include the preposition de before the object. Avoid saying something like se burla él and instead use the correct form se burla de él.
Did you know?
- The verb recochinearse uses a root related to cochino, meaning 'pig', suggesting a messy or uncouth way of laughing at someone.
- While burlarse de is the standard term, the verb pitorrearse is a highly colloquial alternative used in Spain to describe mocking someone in a loud or exaggerated way.
- In Mexico, echar carrilla is a socially essential ritual of teasing used to bond with friends and test a newcomer's resilience within a group.
Examples in context
- Tom no debería burlarse de Mary.Tom shouldn't make fun of Mary.This sentence illustrates how to express that someone should not make fun of another person using burlarse de.Tatoeba #1439656 by marcelostockle, translation #1028035 by CK
- A los franceses les gusta burlarse de los belgas.The French like to make fun of Belgians.This sentence shows how the French people are described as liking to make fun of Belgians using burlarse de.Tatoeba #1112045 by hayastan, translation #1111979 by Scott
- No debemos burlarnos de los demásWe should not make fun of others
- No es apropiado ridiculizar a las personas por su aparienciaIt is not appropriate to make fun of people for their appearance
- Deja de meterte conmigo, sabes que soy sensibleStop making fun of me, you know I'm sensitive
- Mis amigos siempre me toman el pelo por mi sentido del humorMy friends always make fun of me for my sense of humor
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about a coworker.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿viste cómo se burlan de Luis?Daniel, did you see how they make fun of Luis?
- DanielSí, es muy cruel burlarse de él.Yes, it is very cruel to make fun of him.
- ElenaDeberíamos decirle que deje de hacerlo.We should tell them to stop doing it.
- DanielTienes razón, Elena. Vamos a hablar con ellos.You are right, Elena. Let's talk to them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “make fun of” translations and entries pitorrearse, recochinearse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
