burla
/BOOR-lah/
mockery
A scene of mockery, showing the act of making fun of someone.
burla(noun)
mockery
?the act of making fun of someone
taunt
?a mean or insulting remark
,joke
?a prank or something done in jest
📝 In Action
No me gustan sus burlas sobre mi ropa.
B1I don't like his jokes about my clothes.
Lo hizo en son de burla.
B2He did it in a mocking way.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the word with 'de'
When you want to say who or what you are making fun of, always use 'de' after the word burla.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Burla vs. Broma
Mistake: "Using 'burla' for a friendly prank."
Correction: Use 'broma' for friendly jokes. 'Burla' often implies someone's feelings are being hurt or they are being humiliated.
⭐ Usage Tips
Mean vs. Funny
Think of 'burla' as having a 'sharp edge.' If the joke is meant to belittle someone, 'burla' is the right word.
A clever fox outsmarts its pursuer, representing the act of evading or tricking.
burla(verb)
tricks
?when someone outsmarts or evades something
evades
?getting around a rule or an obstacle
,mocks
?shorthand for 'burlarse de' (to make fun of)
📝 In Action
El delantero burla a la defensa con facilidad.
B2The forward tricks the defense with ease.
Ella siempre burla la seguridad del edificio.
C1She always evades the building's security.
💡 Grammar Points
Burlar vs. Burlarse
On its own, 'burlar' means to trick or evade something. If you add 'se' (burlarse), it changes to mean 'to make fun of someone'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Action vs. Teasing
Use 'burla' (verb) when describing a clever move in sports or dodging a rule.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: burla
Question 1 of 2
Which word is better for a friendly, harmless joke with a friend?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'burla' always mean?
Not always, but it usually carries a more negative tone than 'broma'. It suggests someone is the target of the joke.
How do I say 'I am making fun of him'?
You would use the reflexive verb form: 'Me burlo de él'.