Inklingo

How to Say "to tease" in Spanish

English → Spanish

burlarse

verbA2
Use this when gently making fun of someone, often in a playful or lighthearted way, but avoid it if the mockery is harsh.

Examples

No es bueno burlarse de los demás.

It's not good to make fun of others.

vacilar

/ba-see-lar//baθiˈlaɾ/

verbB1informal
Choose this when you are joking with someone or playfully deceiving them, implying a sense of 'messing with' them.
A child playfully pulling a funny face and sticking their tongue out at a friend who is laughing.

Examples

¡No me vaciles! Sé que me estás mintiendo.

Don't mess with me! I know you're lying to me.

Mis amigos siempre me vacilan por mi corte de pelo.

My friends always tease me about my haircut.

Era broma, solo te estaba vacilando un poco.

It was a joke, I was just pulling your leg a bit.

Teasing a Person

When you are teasing a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the pronoun, like 'vacilar a Juan'.

Confusing with Lying

Mistake: “Using 'vacilar' to mean a serious lie.”

Correction: Use 'mentir' for serious lies; 'vacilar' is for lighthearted jokes or teasing.

torear

/toh-reh-ahr//toɾeˈaɾ/

verbB1
Use this when someone is provoking or annoying another person, often in a way that tests their patience, similar to how a bullfighter provokes a bull.
A matador in a traditional gold-trimmed suit holding a large red cape while a bull charges past him in a sandy arena.

Examples

El joven matador toreó con mucha valentía esta tarde.

The young bullfighter fought the bull with great bravery this afternoon.

No puedes seguir toreando tus problemas para siempre.

You can't keep dodging your problems forever.

¡Deja de torearme y dime qué quieres de verdad!

Stop messing with me and tell me what you really want!

Using the 'Personal A'

When you use 'torear' to mean teasing or dodging a person, you must use 'a' before their name or the noun (e.g., 'Torear a Juan').

A Regular -AR Pattern

Good news! This verb follows the standard rules for -ar verbs, so it doesn't have any surprise stem changes.

Literal vs. Figurative

Mistake: “Using 'esquivar' for everything.”

Correction: Use 'torear' when you want to imply you are skillfully or cleverly avoiding a social situation or an annoying person.

brear

/breh-ahr//bɾeˈaɾ/

verbB2informal
This term implies persistently pestering someone with jokes or lighthearted mockery, often in a group setting.
A small, persistent mosquito flying around a person's ear while they try to read a book.

Examples

Mis amigos me brean a bromas cada vez que me ven.

My friends pester me with jokes every time they see me.

El sol nos breó durante toda la caminata.

The sun beat down on us and exhausted us during the whole walk.

No me brees con tantas preguntas, por favor.

Don't badger me with so many questions, please.

Using the 'Personal A'

When 'brear' is used to mean pestering a person, you must use the word 'a' before the person's name or pronoun, like in 'brear a Juan'.

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “I need to brear more deeply.”

Correction: Brear does NOT mean to breathe (respirar). It means to pester or to tar.

Burlarse vs. Vacilar

Learners often confuse 'burlarse' and 'vacilar'. Remember that 'burlarse' is about mocking, even if lightly, while 'vacilar' is more about joking with someone or playfully tricking them, not necessarily making fun of them.

Related Translations

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