mofarse de
/mofaɾse de/from spelling rules
To taunt in Spanish is to say mofarse de. If unsure, use mofarse de. Wiktionary also lists pullar and sacar cachita.
Meaning: to make fun of (someone), to goad into responding (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mofarse de | /mofaɾse de/ (from spelling rules) | |
| pullar | /puʝaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | |
| sacar cachita | /sakaɾ kat͡ʃita/ (from spelling rules) | |
| cachosear | /kat͡ʃoseaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Peru |
The verb is used to express making fun of someone or goading them into responding. You can also use related nouns such as mofa, pulla or cachita to refer to a scornful or mocking remark.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, the colloquial term cachosear is used to mean teasing or taunting someone. In Spain, the expression tirar pullas is common for playful taunting or throwing jabs at someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb mofarse is pronominal and must be followed by the preposition de to indicate the person being taunted. If you use the feminine noun pulla, any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as in una pulla mordaz.
How do you pronounce it?
/mofaɾse de/
Did you know?
- The verb sacar in the phrase sacar cachita might have evolved from a Gothic word meaning 'to dispute' or 'to rebuke'.
- In Spain, the phrase tirar pullas literally means 'to throw jabs', treating a taunt as a physical object being tossed at someone.
- While mofarse is used for mocking, pullar specifically evokes the image of prodding or goading someone, similar to using a sharp tool.
Examples in context
- No está bien burlarse de las debilidades de los demás.It's not right to taunt/mock other people's weaknesses.
- No deberíamos provocar a nuestros compañeros de trabajo.We shouldn't taunt our coworkers.
- No te pongas triste, solo te estoy vacilando.Don't get sad, I'm just taunting you.
- Siempre está tirando pullas a sus hermanos.He/she is always taunting his/her siblings.
- Él empezó a mofarse de su nuevo corte de pelo.He started to make fun of his new haircut.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a rude coworker at the office.
- MateoEse hombre siempre intenta mofarse de Lucía.That man always tries to make fun of Lucía.
- LucíaEs verdad, es muy molesto.It's true, he is very annoying.
- MateoNo dejes que se mofen de tus ideas.Don't let them make fun of your ideas.
- LucíaGracias por el consejo, Mateo.Thanks for the advice, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “taunt” translations and entries sacar cachita, cachosear, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, sacar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
