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B1 verb 11 min de lectura

moquer

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos moquer en 30 segundos

Explicación moquer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 'se moquer de': to make fun of someone. You will mostly encounter it in the context of children or simple social interactions. The key for an A1 learner is to remember that this verb is 'reflexive,' meaning it needs a little extra word like 'me,' 'te,' or 'se' before the verb. Also, remember the word 'de.' In English, you 'mock someone,' but in French, you 'mock OF someone.' Even if you can't conjugate it perfectly yet, knowing that 'Il se moque de moi' means 'He is making fun of me' is very useful. You might hear it when people are joking around. Don't worry about the complex versions; just think of it as a way to talk about teasing. Practice saying 'Je me moque' and 'Tu te moques' with your friends when you are playing games. It is a very common verb in daily life, so hearing it early will help you get used to the sounds of French. Try to visualize a child pointing and laughing to remember the meaning. It is a 'regular' verb ending in -er, which makes it easier to learn than many others. Just remember: Reflexive Pronoun + Verb + De + Person. That is the magic formula for A1 success with this word.

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For A2 learners, you are starting to build more complete sentences. You should now be able to use 'se moquer de' in the present tense and the 'passé composé.' Remember that in the past tense, all reflexive verbs use 'être' as the helping verb. So, you would say 'Elle s'est moquée de lui' (She made fun of him). Pay attention to how 'de' changes when it's followed by 'le' or 'les.' For example, 'Il se moque des (de + les) vêtements de son ami.' You should also learn the very useful phrase 'Je m'en moque,' which means 'I don't care about it.' The 'en' replaces the thing you don't care about. This is a very common way to express your opinion in a conversation. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish between 'se moquer' (to tease) and 'rire' (to laugh). While 'rire' is just the physical act of laughing, 'se moquer' always has a target. You are laughing *at* something or someone. Start using this verb to describe social situations you see in movies or read about in simple stories. It's a great way to move beyond just saying 'He is happy' or 'He is sad' and start describing how people interact with each other.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'se moquer' with more nuance. You should understand the difference between the pronominal 'se moquer de' (the standard way to say to mock/not care) and the transitive 'moquer' (the literary way to ridicule something). B1 is where you start to encounter the expression 'se moquer du monde,' which is used to express indignation when a situation is ridiculous or unfair. You should also be comfortable using 'se moquer' with an infinitive verb, such as 'Il se moque de savoir la vérité' (He doesn't care about knowing the truth). Another important development at this level is using the verb with 'que' and the subjunctive mood: 'Je me moque qu'il pleuve' (I don't care if it rains). This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You should also begin to recognize the noun 'une moquerie' (a mockery/taunt) and the adjective 'moqueur/moqueuse' (mocking). For example, 'Il a un ton moqueur' (He has a mocking tone). At B1, you are not just describing actions; you are describing attitudes. Use 'se moquer' to talk about politics, social trends, or your own feelings of indifference toward certain topics. It's a key verb for expressing your personality in French.

B2 learners should be able to use 'se moquer' in all its idiomatic glory. You should be familiar with phrases like 's'en moquer comme de sa première chemise' (to not care at all) or 'se moquer de la charité' (the pot calling the kettle black). You should also understand the social implications of the verb. In a debate, saying 'Vous vous moquez de moi' is a strong way to challenge someone's argument as being absurd. You should be able to use the verb in more complex tenses, like the 'plus-que-parfait' or the 'conditionnel passé,' to talk about hypothetical situations: 'Si j'avais su, je m'en serais moqué' (If I had known, I wouldn't have cared). At this level, you should also be able to compare 'se moquer' with synonyms like 'narguer,' 'railler,' or 'persifler.' Each of these has a slightly different flavor. 'Railler' is more formal and often implies a group mocking an individual, while 'persifler' implies a more subtle, cold type of mockery. Being able to choose the right word for the right context is a hallmark of the B2 level. You should also be aware of the register: knowing that 'se moquer' is neutral, but 'se foutre de' is informal/vulgar. This allows you to adapt your speech to your audience perfectly.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'moquer' should extend into the realm of literary analysis and high-level rhetoric. You should be able to discuss how an author 'moque les mœurs de son époque' (mocks the customs of their time) using the transitive form. You should recognize the historical and cultural weight of mockery in French literature, from the fables of La Fontaine to the plays of Molière and the satires of Voltaire. At this level, you should also master the subtle difference between 'se moquer de' and 'se jouer de.' While both can involve deception, 'se jouer de' often implies a more calculated manipulation. You should also be able to use 'se moquer' in complex grammatical structures, such as within relative clauses or as part of long, nuanced sentences that express irony. Your use of the adjective 'moqueur' should be precise—distinguishing between a 'regard moqueur' (a mocking look) and a 'sourire moqueur' (a mocking smile). You should also be aware of how the verb is used in philosophical contexts, such as 'se moquer de la mort' (to be indifferent to death). At C1, the verb is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a tool for expressing complex intellectual positions and for appreciating the deep-seated French tradition of 'la dérision.'

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For C2 mastery, 'moquer' and its derivatives should be used with absolute precision and stylistic flair. You should be able to navigate the finest shades of meaning between 'se moquer,' 'se gausser' (to mock loudly/openly), 'se rire de' (to laugh at/defy), and 'vituperer' (to rail against). You should understand how 'se moquer de' can be used paradoxically in poetry or high-style prose to express a sublime form of stoicism or detachment. Your ability to use the transitive 'moquer' in an academic essay should be flawless, knowing exactly when it adds the necessary formal weight to your critique. You should also be a master of 'l'ironie' and 'le sarcasme,' using 'se moquer' to frame your discourse in a way that is quintessentially French—witty, slightly detached, and intellectually sharp. You should be able to analyze the etymological roots (from the Latin 'muccare') and how the meaning evolved from a physical gesture of contempt to a complex linguistic and social tool. At this level, you don't just use the word; you play with it, using it to create double meanings or to pay homage to the great satirists of the French language. You are fully attuned to the 'esprit' of the language, where the ability to 'se moquer'—of others, of the world, and most importantly, of oneself—is seen as a sign of high intelligence and cultural sophistication.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

moquer en 30 segundos

Moquer primarily means to tease or ridicule, usually appearing as the pronominal 'se moquer de' in modern French conversation.
It also serves as a common way to express indifference or a lack of concern, especially in the phrase 'je m'en moque'.
Grammatically, it requires the preposition 'de', making it 'se moquer de quelqu'un' rather than a direct object construction.
The word spans registers from playful banter among friends to sharp social satire in literature and media.

The French verb moquer, primarily encountered in its pronominal form se moquer, is a cornerstone of social interaction in the Francophone world. At its most fundamental level, it translates to 'to tease,' 'to make fun of,' or 'to mock.' However, the depth of its usage spans from lighthearted banter among friends to biting social critique or even complete indifference. Understanding when and how to use this word requires a grasp of both its grammatical structure and the social nuances it carries. In a culture that often values wit, irony, and the ability to not take oneself too seriously, se moquer is used frequently to navigate social hierarchies and express opinions about behavior. When used transitively as moquer, it is often reserved for literary or formal contexts, where it describes the act of ridiculing an idea, a philosophy, or a public figure. In everyday conversation, you will almost exclusively hear se moquer de followed by a person, an object, or a situation. It is a verb that demands the preposition de, which is a common stumbling block for English speakers who are used to the direct object construction of 'to mock someone.' Mastery of this verb allows a learner to participate in the 'esprit' of French conversation, where teasing is often a sign of affection or a way to test social boundaries. It is also used to express a lack of concern or care, as in the phrase je m'en moque, which means 'I don't care about it.' This versatility makes it an essential tool for reaching B1 proficiency and beyond, as it moves the learner from simple descriptions to expressing complex attitudes and social dynamics.

Social Context: In France, teasing or 'le chambrage' is a common social lubricant. To se moquer of a friend is often a way to show closeness, provided the tone is right. However, mocking a stranger or a superior is considered highly offensive.

Il ne faut pas se moquer des gens qui essaient d'apprendre une nouvelle langue.

Grammar Note: Always remember the pronominal structure: Sujet + Pronom réfléchi + moquer + de + Objet. For example, 'Tu te moques de moi' (You are making fun of me).

Elle se moque éperdument de ce que les voisins peuvent penser de sa nouvelle coiffure.

Literary Usage: In classic literature, you might see 'moquer' used without the reflexive pronoun, such as 'moquer la vaine gloire' (to ridicule vain glory). This is rare in modern speech.

Arrête de te moquer de ton petit frère, ce n'est pas gentil.

Les satiristes aiment moquer les travers de la société contemporaine.

Je me moque de savoir qui a raison, je veux juste que le travail soit fait.

Using se moquer correctly involves navigating its pronominal nature and the mandatory preposition de. Unlike the English 'to mock,' which takes a direct object, the French equivalent requires you to 'mock of' something. This structural difference is the most common error for learners. When conjugating the verb, you must include the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject: je me moque, tu te moques, il se moque, nous nous moquons, vous vous moquez, ils se moquent. If the object being mocked is a pronoun, it must be a stressed pronoun (disjunctive pronoun) after the preposition: se moquer de moi, de toi, de lui, d'elle, de nous, de vous, d'eux, d'elles. Furthermore, when the object is 'it' or 'that' in the sense of a general situation, the adverbial pronoun en is used, resulting in the common phrase s'en moquer. For example, 'Tu t'en moques ?' (Do you not care about it?). In terms of tense, se moquer follows regular -er verb patterns. In the passé composé, it uses the auxiliary être because it is pronominal: 'Elle s'est moquée de lui.' Note that the past participle agrees with the subject if the reflexive pronoun is the direct object, which it is in this case. Beyond the pronominal form, the transitive moquer exists but is primarily found in written French to describe ridiculing abstract concepts or public institutions. It is essential to distinguish between these two to sound natural. If you are talking about people, always use the pronominal form. If you are writing an essay about Molière ridiculing the doctors of his time, you might say 'Molière moque les médecins.' This distinction is subtle but marks the difference between intermediate and advanced fluency.

Direct vs Pronominal: Standard: Il se moque de son ami. (He mocks his friend). Literary: Il moque l'autorité. (He mocks authority).

Nous nous sommes moqués de son chapeau ridicule pendant toute la soirée.

Using 'En': When the object is already known, 'de + object' becomes 'en'. 'Je m'en moque' is the most frequent way to say 'I don't care'.

Vous vous moquez de moi ? C'est une blague, n'est-ce pas ?

Subjunctive Usage: When followed by 'que', it often triggers the subjunctive if it expresses an emotion or indifference: 'Je me moque qu'il vienne ou non.'

Ils se moquent pas mal des conséquences de leurs actes.

On peut moquer les institutions sans pour autant être anarchiste.

Elle s'est moquée ouvertement de sa proposition lors de la réunion.

In everyday French life, se moquer is omnipresent, but its meaning shifts depending on the environment. In schoolyards, children use it to describe bullying or teasing: 'Maîtresse, il se moque de moi !' (Teacher, he's making fun of me!). In these contexts, it carries a negative, hurtful connotation. However, among adults in a 'café' or workplace setting, the verb often describes a playful exchange. The French value 'le second degré' (irony/sarcasm), and se moquer is the verb that facilitates this. You will hear it in media critiques, where journalists moquent the latest political gaffe. In cinema and literature, it is a tool for satire. For example, the famous film 'Le Dîner de Cons' is entirely built around the concept of se moquer de quelqu'un who is perceived as 'un con' (an idiot). Furthermore, the expression se moquer du monde is a very common way to express outrage or disbelief. If a service is terrible or a price is ridiculously high, a French person might exclaim, 'C'est se moquer du monde !' (This is making a fool of everyone / This is a joke!). This idiomatic use moves beyond teasing and into the realm of social indignation. You will also hear it in the form of a rhetorical question: 'Tu te moques de qui ?' (Who do you think you're fooling?). In more relaxed settings, the phrase je m'en moque is a polite way to dismiss a topic, whereas in professional settings, se moquer de might describe a lack of professional rigor: 'Il se moque de son travail' (He doesn't care about his work). Because it covers such a wide emotional range—from playful teasing to cruel bullying to clinical indifference—it is one of the most culturally loaded verbs in the French language.

In the Media: Satirical shows like 'Les Guignols' or 'Quotidien' constantly moquent politicians, highlighting the French tradition of political mockery.

Arrêtez de vous moquer du monde et donnez-moi une réponse sérieuse !

At School: Teachers often say 'On ne se moque pas !' to maintain discipline and empathy in the classroom.

Le public s'est mis à se moquer de l'acteur quand il a oublié son texte.

Expressions of Indifference: 'S'en moquer comme de l'an quarante' is a classic, slightly old-fashioned way to say you don't care at all.

Il se moque de tout, rien ne semble l'atteindre.

C'est vraiment se moquer du monde que de proposer un tel prix.

Je me moque royalement de ce qu'il a pu dire sur moi.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with se moquer is omitting the preposition de. In English, we say 'to mock someone' (direct object), but in French, you must say se moquer de quelqu'un. Saying 'Il me moque' is incorrect; it must be 'Il se moque de moi.' Another common error is forgetting the reflexive pronoun entirely. Using 'Je moque de lui' is grammatically incomplete in standard modern French. A third area of confusion is the distinction between se moquer de and rire de. While they can be synonyms, rire de is often more literal (to laugh because of something), whereas se moquer de implies a level of ridicule or intentional teasing. Learners also often struggle with the placement of the adverbial pronoun en. It must come between the reflexive pronoun and the verb: je m'en moque, not je me moque en. Furthermore, there is a register trap. While se moquer is neutral, learners often hear the slang version se foutre de and use it in inappropriate situations. Se foutre de la gueule de quelqu'un is a very aggressive way to say someone is mocking you, and it should be avoided in formal or semi-formal contexts. Finally, there is the 'false friend' danger with 'to mock up' (in design or engineering). The French verb moquer does not mean to create a prototype; for that, you would use maquetter or faire une maquette. Understanding these pitfalls will help you avoid sounding like a direct translator and more like a native speaker who understands the structural and social rules of the language.

Mistake: Omitting 'De': Incorrect: *Il se moque son frère. Correct: Il se moque de son frère.

Ne vous moquez pas de son accent, il fait des efforts pour parler français.

Mistake: Forgetting 'Se': Incorrect: *Je moque de cette situation. Correct: Je me moque de cette situation.

Tu te moques de moi ? J'ai dit quelque chose de drôle ?

Register Confusion: Avoid 'se foutre de' in professional settings. Stick to 'se moquer de' or 'ne pas se soucier de'.

On ne devrait pas se moquer des rêves des autres, même s'ils semblent impossibles.

Il s'est moqué de la consigne et a fait exactement le contraire.

Je m'en moque complètement, fais ce que tu veux.

French has a rich vocabulary for the various shades of mockery and indifference. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might want to replace se moquer with a more precise term. For playful teasing among friends, taquiner is the perfect verb. It implies affection and lacks the potential cruelty of se moquer. If the mockery is more intellectual or literary, ironiser (to speak ironically) or tourner en dérision (to turn into derision/ridicule) are common. When mockery becomes harsh and insulting, ridiculiser or humilier might be more appropriate. On the other side of the meaning—expressing indifference—se moquer de is very common, but you could also use se désintéresser de (to lose interest in) or n'avoir cure de (a very formal/literary way to say 'not care'). In slang, as mentioned, se foutre de and s'en taper are extremely common but should be used with caution. Another interesting alternative is narguer, which means to mock by provoking or defying someone, often with a sense of superiority. Understanding these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your expression. For instance, if you say 'Je me moque de ce film,' it means you don't care about it. If you say 'Je tourne ce film en dérision,' it means you are actively making fun of its flaws. This nuance is what separates a functional speaker from a truly expressive one.

Taquiner vs Se Moquer: Taquiner: Gentle teasing, usually positive.
Se moquer: Can be light or mean, implies ridicule.

Il aime taquiner sa sœur sur ses goûts musicaux, mais c'est toujours amical.

Narguer: To mock by being provocative. 'Il nargue ses adversaires après sa victoire.'

L'éditorialiste a choisi de tourner en dérision les nouvelles mesures du gouvernement.

Rire de: To laugh at. 'Nous avons ri de sa blague.' (Neutral) vs 'Nous nous sommes moqués de lui.' (Potentially negative).

Elle se fiche pas mal de ce qu'on peut dire sur elle.

Le caricaturiste ridiculise les traits du président dans son dernier dessin.

Il ne faut pas narguer le destin quand tout va bien.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The connection to 'blowing the nose' (muccus) reflects how many insults and words for mockery in European languages are rooted in physical gestures of disgust or bodily functions.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /mɔ.ke/

US /moʊ.keɪ/

In French, the stress is usually on the final syllable: mo-QUER.

Rima con

aimer manger parler chanter jouer danser donner aller

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'r' at the end. In -er verbs, the 'r' is silent.
Using a soft 'q' sound. It is always a hard 'k'.
Making the 'o' too long like in 'boat'. It should be short and open.
Forgetting to pronounce the 's' in 'se moquer' clearly when it's part of the reflexive pronoun.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like 'mock'.

Escritura 4/5

Hard because of the reflexive pronoun and the mandatory 'de'.

Expresión oral 3/5

Requires practice to get the 'se' and 'de' flow naturally.

Escucha 3/5

Common in fast speech, 'je m'en moque' can sound like one word.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

rire blague gentil méchant de

Aprende después

taquiner narguer ironiser indifférent se soucier

Avanzado

persifler se gausser railler dérision satire

Gramática que debes saber

Reflexive Verbs

Je me moque, tu te moques, il se moque...

Preposition 'de' after verbs

Se moquer DE quelqu'un.

Adverbial pronoun 'en'

Je m'EN moque (I don't care about IT).

Agreement of Past Participle with Reflexive Verbs

Elle s'est moquéE (The 'se' is the direct object).

Subjunctive after expressions of indifference

Je me moque qu'il SOIT là.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Il se moque de mon chat.

He is making fun of my cat.

Don't forget the 'se' and the 'de'.

Tu te moques de moi ?

Are you making fun of me?

In a question, the word order stays the same but the tone goes up.

Elle se moque de sa robe.

She is making fun of her dress.

'Se moquer' is a reflexive verb.

Nous nous moquons un peu.

We are teasing a little.

'Nous nous' might feel strange, but it's correct!

Ne te moque pas !

Don't tease!

This is the negative imperative.

Ils se moquent du vélo.

They are making fun of the bike.

'Du' is the contraction of 'de + le'.

Je me moque de la pluie.

I don't care about the rain.

Here, 'se moquer de' means 'to not care'.

Vous vous moquez de lui ?

Are you (plural) making fun of him?

Use 'lui' for 'him' after 'de'.

Je m'en moque complètement.

I don't care about it at all.

'En' replaces 'de + something'.

Il s'est moqué de mon accent.

He made fun of my accent.

Passé composé uses 'être' for reflexive verbs.

Nous ne nous moquons jamais des autres.

We never make fun of others.

'Ne... jamais' surrounds the reflexive pronoun and verb.

Elle se moque de ce que tu dis.

She doesn't care about what you are saying.

'Ce que' means 'that which' or 'what'.

Pourquoi t'en moques-tu ?

Why don't you care about it?

This is an inverted question with 'en'.

Ils se sont moqués de la situation.

They laughed at the situation.

The past participle 'moqués' agrees with the plural subject.

On se moque de lui à l'école.

He is being made fun of at school.

'On' is often used for 'people' or 'they'.

Tu ne devrais pas te moquer d'elle.

You shouldn't make fun of her.

The infinitive 'se moquer' follows the modal 'devrais'.

C'est se moquer du monde !

This is a joke! / This is ridiculous!

A very common idiom for expressing indignation.

Il se moque de savoir si c'est vrai.

He doesn't care about knowing if it's true.

'Se moquer de' followed by an infinitive.

Je me moque qu'il vienne ou pas.

I don't care whether he comes or not.

The subjunctive 'vienne' is used after 'que'.

Elle a un petit rire moqueur.

She has a little mocking laugh.

'Moqueur' is the adjective form.

Arrête de te moquer de ma patience.

Stop testing my patience.

Metaphorical use of 'se moquer'.

Nous nous moquions de ses grandes idées.

We used to mock his big ideas.

Imparfait for habitual actions in the past.

Il se moque éperdument du qu'en-dira-t-on.

He couldn't care less about gossip.

'Qu'en-dira-t-on' is a noun meaning 'public opinion/gossip'.

Vous vous moquez de la charité !

That's the pot calling the kettle black!

A classic French idiom.

Il s'en moque comme de sa première chemise.

He doesn't care at all (idiom).

A colorful idiom for complete lack of interest.

Le film moque les travers de la bourgeoisie.

The film mocks the flaws of the bourgeoisie.

Transitive 'moquer' used in a critical/analytical context.

Elle s'est sentie moquée par ses collègues.

She felt mocked by her colleagues.

Passive-like construction with 'sentie' + past participle.

Ne te moque pas de moi, j'ai vraiment essayé.

Don't mock me, I really tried.

Imperative used to set a boundary.

Ils se moquent de la rigueur scientifique.

They don't care about scientific rigor.

Using 'se moquer de' to describe lack of professional standards.

Je me moque que tu sois d'accord ou non.

I don't care whether you agree or not.

Subjunctive 'sois' after 'je me moque que'.

C'est une façon de moquer l'autorité établie.

It's a way to mock established authority.

Transitive 'moquer' in a formal explanation.

On ne peut pas se moquer de tout avec n'importe qui.

You can't mock everything with just anyone.

A famous French social rule (often attributed to Desproges).

L'auteur se plaît à moquer les prétentions de ses contemporains.

The author delights in mocking the pretensions of his contemporaries.

Transitive 'moquer' in literary analysis.

Il se moque des conventions sociales avec une élégance rare.

He flouts social conventions with a rare elegance.

Using 'se moquer' to mean 'to disregard' or 'to flout'.

La satire moque les dérives du pouvoir absolu.

The satire mocks the excesses of absolute power.

Subject 'la satire' with transitive verb 'moque'.

Il s'en moque royalement, ce qui agace ses détracteurs.

He doesn't care in the slightest, which annoys his critics.

'Royalement' adds emphasis to the indifference.

On l'a tourné en dérision pour mieux le moquer.

He was turned into an object of derision to better mock him.

Combining 'tourner en dérision' and 'moquer'.

Elle se moque de la mort comme s'il s'agissait d'un simple voyage.

She is indifferent to death as if it were a simple journey.

Philosophical use of 'se moquer de'.

Le destin semble se moquer de nos efforts les plus sincères.

Fate seems to mock our most sincere efforts.

Personification of 'le destin'.

Il a ce sourire moqueur qui cache une grande insécurité.

He has that mocking smile that hides a great insecurity.

Psychological description using the adjective 'moqueur'.

Il s'agit là d'une œuvre qui moque subtilement l'institution académique.

This is a work that subtly mocks the academic institution.

High-level academic register.

Elle se rit de l'adversité, puisant sa force dans le mépris du danger.

She laughs at adversity, drawing her strength from a contempt for danger.

'Se rire de' is a sophisticated synonym for 'se moquer de'.

Le texte moque le pédantisme par un usage outrancier de termes techniques.

The text mocks pedantry through an excessive use of technical terms.

Describing a rhetorical strategy.

S'en moquer éperdument est la seule réponse viable face à l'absurde.

Caring not a whit is the only viable response to the absurd.

Philosophical statement using an infinitive subject.

Il persifle plus qu'il ne moque, maniant le sarcasme avec une précision chirurgicale.

He persiflates more than he mocks, wielding sarcasm with surgical precision.

Distinguishing between 'persifler' and 'moquer'.

La marquise se gaussait des manières provinciales de ses invités.

The marchioness was mocking the provincial manners of her guests.

'Se gausser' is a highly formal, slightly archaic synonym.

Il moque la vaine gloire des conquérants d'autrefois.

He mocks the vain glory of the conquerors of old.

Classical transitive usage.

Le destin, dans sa cruauté, semble moquer les aspirations humaines.

Fate, in its cruelty, seems to mock human aspirations.

Poetic and philosophical register.

Colocaciones comunes

Se moquer éperdument

Se moquer royalement

Se moquer du monde

Se moquer de la charité

Air moqueur

Ton moqueur

Se moquer des conséquences

Se moquer des conventions

Se moquer ouvertement

S'en moquer comme de l'an quarante

Frases Comunes

Je m'en moque.

— I don't care about it. A neutral to slightly informal way to express indifference.

Tu veux du thé ou du café ? — Je m'en moque, choisis toi-même.

Tu te moques de moi ?

— Are you kidding me? / Are you making fun of me? Used in disbelief or anger.

Tu as oublié les clés ? Tu te moques de moi ?

C'est se moquer du monde !

— This is ridiculous! Used to express that a situation is an insult to common sense.

Dix euros pour une bouteille d'eau ? C'est se moquer du monde !

Ne vous moquez pas !

— Don't laugh! / Don't tease! Often said when someone makes a mistake.

J'ai raté mon gâteau, mais ne vous moquez pas !

Il se moque de tout.

— He doesn't care about anything. Describes a person who is detached or nihilistic.

Depuis qu'il a perdu son travail, il se moque de tout.

On se moque de qui ?

— Who are we kidding? Used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of seriousness.

Ils disent qu'ils sont écologistes mais ils voyagent en jet privé. On se moque de qui ?

Se moquer de soi-même.

— To have self-derision. To be able to laugh at one's own flaws.

Il est très apprécié car il sait se moquer de lui-même.

Pas de quoi se moquer.

— Nothing to laugh at. Used to indicate that a situation is serious.

C'est un échec, il n'y a pas de quoi se moquer.

Elle s'en moque pas mal.

— She doesn't care much. 'Pas mal' acts as an intensifier here.

Elle s'en moque pas mal de ce que disent les journaux.

Moquerie mise à part...

— Joking aside... Used to transition from a light tone to a serious one.

Moquerie mise à part, nous devons vraiment trouver une solution.

Se confunde a menudo con

moquer vs Moquetter

This is not a common word, but might be confused with 'moquette' (carpet). 'Moquer' has nothing to do with carpets.

moquer vs Se moquer vs Se foutre

'Se foutre de' is the vulgar version. Never use it in a professional setting.

moquer vs Mock-up

An English term. In French, use 'maquette' or 'prototype', not 'moquer'.

Modismos y expresiones

"S'en moquer comme de sa première chemise"

— To not care at all about something. Literally: to care as much as about one's first shirt.

Il s'en moque comme de sa première chemise de perdre ce match.

Neutral/Informal

"C'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité"

— The pot calling the kettle black. When someone criticizes another for a flaw they also have.

Toi, tu me traites de paresseux ? C'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité !

Neutral

"Se moquer du tiers comme du quart"

— To not care about anyone's opinion. To be totally indifferent to others.

Elle fait ce qu'elle veut et se moque du tiers comme du quart.

Slightly formal/Old-fashioned

"Se moquer de la gueule de quelqu'un"

— To take someone for a fool or to mock them very aggressively.

Tu me vends ça à ce prix ? Tu te moques de ma gueule !

Vulgar

"S'en moquer comme de l'an quarante"

— To not care at all. The origin of 'an quarante' is debated but implies a long time ago.

Ce que les gens pensent, je m'en moque comme de l'an quarante.

Informal/Old-fashioned

"Se moquer du qu'en-dira-t-on"

— To not care about gossip or public opinion.

Il vit sa vie sans se moquer du qu'en-dira-t-on.

Neutral

"Se moquer de la police"

— To defy authority openly or to act as if laws don't apply.

Il gare sa voiture n'importe où, il se moque de la police.

Neutral

"Se moquer des convenances"

— To disregard social etiquette or expected behavior.

Elle est arrivée en retard et en jean au mariage, elle se moque des convenances.

Neutral/Formal

"Se moquer de la mort"

— To show great courage or to be reckless. To act as if death is not a threat.

Les cascadeurs semblent se moquer de la mort à chaque saut.

Literary/Heroic

"Se moquer du danger"

— To be fearless or reckless in the face of risk.

Les pompiers se moquent du danger pour sauver des vies.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

moquer vs Rire

Both involve laughter.

'Rire' is the physical act; 'se moquer' is specifically laughing *at* someone or something with ridicule.

Je ris de sa blague (I laugh at his joke) vs Je me moque de lui (I make fun of him).

moquer vs Taquiner

Both involve teasing.

'Taquiner' is always light and friendly; 'se moquer' can be mean-spirited.

Je le taquine sur son retard (Friendly) vs Je me moque de son retard (Could be mean).

moquer vs Narguer

Both involve mocking.

'Narguer' involves provocation or showing off; 'se moquer' is more about the ridicule itself.

Il me nargue avec son nouveau téléphone.

moquer vs Mépriser

Indifference can look like contempt.

'Mépriser' is to look down on someone; 'se moquer' (in the sense of indifference) is just not caring.

Il méprise les pauvres (Contempt) vs Il se moque de l'argent (Indifference).

moquer vs Blaguer

Both involve humor.

'Blaguer' is to tell jokes; 'se moquer' is to make someone the joke.

On blague ensemble (We joke together) vs On se moque de lui (We joke about him).

Patrones de oraciones

Sujet + se moque de + Nom

Il se moque de mon chien.

Sujet + s'en moque

Elle s'en moque.

Sujet + se moque de + Infinitif

Nous nous moquons de perdre.

C'est se moquer du monde !

Sujet + se moque que + Subjonctif

Je me moque qu'il pleuve.

Sujet + moque + Objet Direct (Formal)

Ce texte moque l'hypocrisie.

Sujet + se rit de + Nom

Elle se rit du danger.

Sujet + se gausser de + Nom

Ils se gaussent de ses erreurs.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

moquerie (mockery)

moqueur (mocker - person)

moqueuse (mocker - female person)

Verbos

se moquer (to mock/tease/not care)

moquer (to ridicule - literary)

Adjetivos

moqueur (mocking/teasing)

moqueuse (mocking/teasing)

Relacionado

taquinerie (teasing)

dérision (derision)

ironie (irony)

sarcasme (sarcasm)

persiflage (persiflage)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written French.

Errores comunes

Il me moque. → Il se moque de moi.
You must use the reflexive pronoun and the preposition 'de'.
Je moque de lui. → Je me moque de lui.
Don't forget the reflexive pronoun 'me'.
Je m'en moque de ça. → Je me moque de ça. (OR) Je m'en moque.
'En' already replaces 'de ça'. Using both is redundant.
Elle s'est moqué de lui. → Elle s'est moquée de lui.
The past participle agrees with the subject in this reflexive construction.
Je me moque qu'il vient. → Je me moque qu'il vienne.
'Je me moque que' requires the subjunctive mood.

Consejos

The 'De' Rule

Always remember the preposition 'de'. If you forget it, the sentence will sound broken to a native speaker.

Teasing vs Mocking

In France, 'se moquer' is common, but read the room. If you aren't sure, use 'taquiner' to be safe.

Polite Indifference

Use 'Je m'en moque' when you want to be polite but show you have no preference.

Literary Flair

In an essay, try using 'moquer' as a transitive verb to describe a satire. It sounds very sophisticated.

Word Family

Learn 'moqueur' as an adjective. 'Un regard moqueur' is a great descriptive phrase for your stories.

Silent R

Never pronounce the 'r' at the end of 'moquer'. It should rhyme with 'café'.

Hospital and Charity

Memorize 'C'est l'hôpital qui se moque de la charité'. It's a very common and useful idiom.

The 'S' sound

Listen for the 's' in 'se moquer'. If you don't hear it, it might be a different verb like 'moquer' (rare) or a conjugation of 'monter' in some contexts.

Expressing Disbelief

If someone gives you a ridiculous price, say 'C'est se moquer du monde !' to show you aren't a fool.

Reflexive Drills

Practice 'Je me moque, tu te moques...' until the pronouns come naturally without thinking.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a MOCKing bird named MOQUER who laughs at everyone. Or think: 'He is MOCKing me with his MOQUER-y'.

Asociación visual

Picture a person wearing a 'MOCK' turtleneck and pointing at someone laughing. The 'ER' at the end reminds you it's an action (verb).

Word Web

Rire Blague Ironie Teasing Indifference Se moquer de Moquerie Moqueur

Desafío

Try to use 'Je m'en moque' three times today when someone asks you for your opinion on something trivial. This will cement the pronominal structure in your brain.

Origen de la palabra

The word 'moquer' comes from the Middle French 'moquer', which itself likely stems from the Picard dialect. It is thought to be related to the Latin 'muccare', which means 'to blow the nose'.

Significado original: The original sense was likely a gesture of contempt—making a face or blowing one's nose at someone to show lack of respect.

It is a Gallo-Romance word, part of the larger family of Romance languages derived from Latin.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'se moquer' in professional contexts. While teasing is common in France, mocking a colleague's work can be seen as very unprofessional compared to some other cultures.

English speakers often use 'to tease' which is closer to 'taquiner'. 'To mock' in English sounds a bit harsher than 'se moquer' often does in French.

Molière's plays (e.g., Le Tartuffe) are famous for how they moquent the hypocrisy of society. The film 'Le Dîner de Cons' (The Dinner of Fools) is a masterclass in the social dynamics of mockery. The song 'Je m'en moque' by various artists often explores the theme of indifference.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Social Teasing

Arrête de te moquer !
Je te taquine seulement.
Tu te moques de moi ?
C'est juste pour rire.

Expressing Indifference

Je m'en moque.
Elle s'en moque pas mal.
On s'en moque, non ?
Je me moque de ce qu'il dit.

Indignation

C'est se moquer du monde !
On se moque de qui ici ?
Vous vous moquez de moi ?
C'est une moquerie !

School/Bullying

Il se moque de moi.
On ne se moque pas des autres.
C'est de la moquerie gratuite.
Il a été moqué par toute la classe.

Literary Critique

L'auteur moque les travers...
Une œuvre qui moque l'autorité.
Le ton est résolument moqueur.
Tourner en dérision pour mieux moquer.

Inicios de conversación

"Est-ce que tu te moques souvent de tes amis ?"

"De quoi est-ce que les gens se moquent le plus dans ton pays ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses qu'on peut se moquer de tout ?"

"Quand est-ce que tu as dit 'Je m'en moque' pour la dernière fois ?"

"Est-ce que tu as déjà été moqué pour ton accent en français ?"

Temas para diario

Décris une situation où quelqu'un s'est moqué de toi. Comment as-tu réagi ?

Écris sur un sujet dont tu te moques complètement (la mode, le sport, etc.).

Est-ce que la moquerie peut être une bonne chose dans une amitié ? Pourquoi ?

Analyse un film ou un livre qui se moque d'un aspect de la société.

Imagine une conversation entre deux personnes où l'une se moque de l'autre.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In modern spoken French, yes, it is almost always 'se moquer'. The non-reflexive 'moquer' is rare and reserved for formal writing or literature.

'Je m'en moque' is neutral and polite. 'Je m'en fous' is vulgar and roughly equivalent to 'I don't give a damn'.

No, 'en' replaces 'de + object'. So you say 'Je me moque de cela' but 'Je m'en moque'.

No, that is a common mistake. You must say 'Il se moque de moi'.

It means a situation is so unfair or ridiculous that it feels like an insult to everyone involved. 'You must be joking!'

Not necessarily. Between close friends, it can be a form of affection or 'chambrage' (teasing).

Use 'être'. Example: 'Nous nous sommes moqués'. Remember the agreement with the subject.

The noun is 'la moquerie'. For example: 'Sa moquerie était blessante'.

Yes, when you use 'se moquer que...', the following verb is usually in the subjunctive.

Yes, you can 'se moquer d'un objet' (not care about it) or 'moquer un concept' (satirize it).

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