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March 24, 2026
嘲笑cháoxiào(chao2xiao4)
嘲笑 (chāoxiào) means to mock or ridicule someone, often with a sense of scorn or derision. It is commonly used in contexts where someone's mistakes or failures are highlighted in a derogatory manner, and can imply a lack of empathy or respect for the person being mocked.
Frequency#2600DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, mockery can be particularly harsh, as it may undermine social harmony. The concept of 'face' (面子) is essential here; mocking someone can cause a significant loss of face, leading to social repercussions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a crow (鸟) that 'caws' as it mocks another bird's failed attempt to fly. The sound of 'caw' can remind you of the 'chao' in 嘲, while '笑' (xiào) sounds like 'smile', but in this case, it’s a mocking smile.
Meanings of 嘲笑
cháoxiào(chao2xiao4)
1to jeer at
2to deride
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 嘲笑
嘲笑Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2600Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 嘲笑
Podcast: 嘲笑
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AI Study Notes for 嘲笑
Quick Contrast
嘲讽 (cháofěng) - use 嘲笑 when the intent is to mock someone openly and derisively, while 嘲讽 carries a more subtle, indirect implication of criticism.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a crow (鸟) that 'caws' as it mocks another bird's failed attempt to fly. The sound of 'caw' can remind you of the 'chao' in 嘲, while '笑' (xiào) sounds like 'smile', but in this case, it’s a mocking smile.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 嘲笑, as it carries a negative connotation and can be seen as rude or insensitive. It is typically used in informal settings and may appear in discussions about social dynamics or bullying. Avoid using it in formal contexts where respect is necessary.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 嘲笑 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and social interactions. Students should focus on understanding the context in which mocking behavior is discussed and how it contrasts with more neutral or positive expressions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, mockery can be particularly harsh, as it may undermine social harmony. The concept of 'face' (面子) is essential here; mocking someone can cause a significant loss of face, leading to social repercussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嘲笑 with 开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào, to joke), which is lighter and more playful. For example, saying '我在嘲笑你' (I am mocking you) instead of '我在开玩笑' (I am joking) can come off as harsh.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嘲笑
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Grammar Patterns of 嘲笑
嘲笑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我觉得他们____我是因为我长得丑。
I thought they were laughing at me because I was ugly.
Example Sentences for 嘲笑 (10)
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1
我觉得他们嘲笑我是因为我长得丑。
wǒ jué dé tā mén cháo xiào wǒ shì yīn wéi wǒ cháng dé chǒu。
I thought they were laughing at me because I was ugly.
2
嘲笑声的背后潜伏着一种越来越强烈的不安。
cháo xiào shēng de bèi hòu qián fú zháo yī zhǒng yuè lái yuè qiáng liè de bù ān。
Behind the mocking laughter lurks a growing sense of unease.
3
他仍然因出身低微而被人无情嘲笑。
tā réng rán yīn chū shēn dī wēi ér bèi rén wú qíng cháo xiào。
He is still the butt of cruel jokes about his humble origins.
4
他看着我，冷酷的眼神里闪过一丝嘲笑。
tā kàn zháo wǒ， ， lěng kù de yǎn shén lǐ shǎn guò yī sī cháo。
He looked at me, a flicker of amusement in his cold eyes.
5
他告诉她东波尔顿的男孩们是如何攻击他、嘲笑他的。
tā gào sù tā dōng bō ěr dùn de nán hái mén shì rú hé gōng jī tā、 、 cháo xiào tā。
He told her how the boys in East Poldown had set on him, teasing him.
6
她忍受着别人的嘲笑，一直忍到四年级。
tā rěn shòu zháo bié rén de cháo xiào， ， yī zhí rěn dào sì nián。
She tolerated the teasing, until the fourth grade.
7
体育课上别的孩子嘲笑那个胖学生.
tǐ yù kè shàng bié de hái zǐ cháo xiào nà gè pàng xué shēng.
The other boys mocked the fat pupil in the sports lesson.
8
男孩子们嘲笑他,因为他家里很穷.
nán hái zǐ mén cháo xiào tā, , yīn wéi tā jiā lǐ hěn.
The boys sneered at him because his family was poor.
9
因为她穷,有些女孩子就嘲笑她.
yīn wéi tā qióng, , yǒu xiē nǚ hái zǐ jiù cháo xiào.
Some girls taunted her because she was poor.
10
仆人们看到他,有的嘲笑他的穷相, 叫他走开.
pū rén mén kàn dào tā, , yǒu de cháo xiào tā de qióng, xiāng , jiào tā.
Some of the servants who saw him laughed at his poverty, and bade him begone.
Cultural Notes for 嘲笑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, mockery can be particularly harsh, as it may undermine social harmony. The concept of 'face' (面子) is essential here; mocking someone can cause a significant loss of face, leading to social repercussions.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, mockery can often be seen as a form of humor, while in Chinese culture, it is more likely to be considered disrespectful and damaging to relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 嘲笑
Generally, no. 嘲笑 carries a negative connotation and is not typically used in friendly banter.
Synonyms include 讽刺 (fèngcì, to satirize) and 嘲弄 (zhāonòng, to tease).
It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, but the tone and context will determine its appropriateness.
