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调侃 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
调侃tiáokǎnto ridiculeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22674, Very Hard
调侃tiáokǎnto teaseHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22674, Very Hard
调侃tiáokǎnto mockHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22674, Very Hard
调侃tiáokǎnidle talkHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22674, Very Hard
调侃tiáokǎnchitchatHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #22674, Very Hard
tiáokǎn(tiao2kan3)tiao kan T2
  1. 1to ridicule
  2. 2to tease
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March 24, 2026

调侃(調侃)tiáokǎn(tiao2kan3)

调侃 (tiáokǎn) means to tease or mock someone in a light-hearted or playful way. It is often used in informal contexts among friends or peers to engage in friendly banter or chitchat, but can also have a slightly sarcastic undertone depending on the situation.

Strokes18Frequency#22674DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 调侃 is a common way to bond with friends and family, often seen during gatherings or social events. It's a way to show familiarity and affection, but the nature of the teasing can vary significantly based on the closeness of the relationship.

Memory tip

Imagine a playful cat (猫, māo) teasing a mouse (老鼠, lǎoshǔ) by using its paw to poke it. The '调' (tiáo) part can remind you of tuning or adjusting, like adjusting the teasing to keep it playful, while '侃' (kǎn) sounds like 'can', as in 'can you handle this fun banter?'

Meanings of 调侃

tiáokǎn(tiao2kan3)
1to ridicule
2to tease
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About 调侃

调侃Simplified
調侃Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 调侃

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AI study notes for 调侃

Quick Contrast

嘲笑 (cháoxiào) - use 调侃 when the teasing is light-hearted and playful, while 嘲笑 implies a more mocking or derisive tone.

Usage Notes

调侃 is typically used in informal settings, so it may not be appropriate in formal discussions or serious conversations. Be cautious of the tone; teasing can be taken the wrong way if the relationship is not established. Common collocations include '调侃朋友' (teasing friends) or '调侃一下' (to have a little tease).

HSK Study Tips

While 调侃 is not an HSK word, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above who are expanding their vocabulary around social interactions. Focus on understanding the context in which humor and teasing are appropriate, as well as practicing conversational skills that involve light-hearted exchanges.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 调侃 with more serious forms of criticism. A wrong example would be: '我在调侃他,结果他生气了' (I was mocking him, and he got angry), which should be corrected to emphasize the playful intent, like '我只是想调侃他,不是要让他生气' (I just wanted to tease him, not to make him angry).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 调侃

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Component characters

调diàoto harmonize
HSK 510 strokes讠
View full entry
侃kǎnupright and honest
8 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say to ridicule in Chinese

“to ridicule” in Chinese is调侃tiáokǎn

调侃 (tiáokǎn) means to tease or mock someone in a light-hearted or playful way. It is often used in informal contexts among friends or peers to engage in friendly banter or chitchat, but can also have a slightly sarcastic undertone depending on the situation.

When to use 调侃

调侃 is typically used in informal settings, so it may not be appropriate in formal discussions or serious conversations. Be cautious of the tone; teasing can be taken the wrong way if the relationship is not established. Common collocations include '调侃朋友' (teasing friends) or '调侃一下' (to have a little tease).

调侃 or something close to it

嘲笑 (cháoxiào) - use 调侃 when the teasing is light-hearted and playful, while 嘲笑 implies a more mocking or derisive tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 调侃 with more serious forms of criticism. A wrong example would be: '我在调侃他,结果他生气了' (I was mocking him, and he got angry), which should be corrected to emphasize the playful intent, like '我只是想调侃他,不是要让他生气' (I just wanted to tease him, not to make him angry).

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调
侃

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Cultural Notes for 调侃

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, teasing often carries a similar connotation of playfulness among friends, but it can also be misinterpreted as bullying if not executed carefully, highlighting the importance of understanding social dynamics.

Frequently asked questions about 调侃

No, 调侃 can be playful and friendly, but it can also have a sarcastic edge. The intention behind the teasing is important.

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