B1 Idiom خنثی

prendersi gioco di

to make fun of

معنی

To mock or tease someone.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In Italy, 'prendersi gioco' of an elder or a person in authority is considered a grave social faux pas. Respect for hierarchy is still present in many southern regions. Satirical TV shows like 'Striscia la Notizia' often use this phrase to describe how politicians or scammers 'si prendono gioco' of honest citizens. The concept of the 'beffa' (a practical joke) is a central theme in Italian literature, notably in Boccaccio's Decameron, where characters frequently 'si prendono gioco' of the gullible. While older generations use 'prendersi gioco', younger Italians are more likely to use 'trollare' (from the English 'to troll') in digital contexts, though the meaning is slightly different.

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The 'Di' Rule

Always remember the 'di'. If you forget it, the sentence sounds like you are literally taking a physical game.

⚠️

Don't over-use it

In a bar with friends, use 'prendere in giro'. 'Prendersi gioco di' can make you sound like a villain in a movie if used for small things.

معنی

To mock or tease someone.

💡

The 'Di' Rule

Always remember the 'di'. If you forget it, the sentence sounds like you are literally taking a physical game.

⚠️

Don't over-use it

In a bar with friends, use 'prendere in giro'. 'Prendersi gioco di' can make you sound like a villain in a movie if used for small things.

🎯

Past Tense Agreement

Because it's reflexive, the past participle changes: 'Lei si è presa gioco', 'Loro si sono presi gioco'.

💬

Irony is Key

Italians often use this phrase ironically to describe fate: 'Il destino si è preso gioco di me' (Fate mocked me).

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'prendersi gioco di'.

Ieri, i miei cugini ______ (passato prossimo) me perché non sapevo cucinare.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: si sono presi gioco di

The auxiliary 'essere' is required for reflexive verbs, and the past participle 'presi' must agree with the plural subject 'cugini'.

Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal complaint?

You want to tell a company they are not taking your problem seriously.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Vi state prendendo gioco delle mie richieste.

'Prendersi gioco di' is more formal and serious than 'prendere in giro', making it better for a complaint.

Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.

Match the following:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 1-Mocks the law, 2-Plays with feelings, 3-Tricks the audience, 4-Mocks poverty

These are common collocations for the idiom.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: Perché sei arrabbiata? B: Perché quel ragazzo mi ha promesso un lavoro, ma poi è sparito. ______ me!

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Si è preso gioco di

The context of deception requires the full reflexive idiom in the past tense.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Teasing vs. Mocking

Prendere in giro
Friendly Amichevole
Common Comune
Prendersi gioco di
Cruel/Serious Crudele/Serio
Literary Letterario

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'prendersi gioco di'. جای خالی B1

Ieri, i miei cugini ______ (passato prossimo) me perché non sapevo cucinare.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: si sono presi gioco di

The auxiliary 'essere' is required for reflexive verbs, and the past participle 'presi' must agree with the plural subject 'cugini'.

Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal complaint? Choose B1

You want to tell a company they are not taking your problem seriously.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Vi state prendendo gioco delle mie richieste.

'Prendersi gioco di' is more formal and serious than 'prendere in giro', making it better for a complaint.

Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent. Match B1

هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 1-Mocks the law, 2-Plays with feelings, 3-Tricks the audience, 4-Mocks poverty

These are common collocations for the idiom.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: Perché sei arrabbiata? B: Perché quel ragazzo mi ha promesso un lavoro, ma poi è sparito. ______ me!

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Si è preso gioco di

The context of deception requires the full reflexive idiom in the past tense.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

It depends on the context, but it usually describes an offensive action. Saying someone is doing it is a way to call out their bad behavior.

Usually no, unless you are personifying the object (like 'the law' or 'fate'). You wouldn't say you are mocking a chair.

'Deridere' is a single verb and is much more formal. 'Prendersi gioco di' is more idiomatic and common in narrative.

Use 'Si prendono gioco l'uno dell'altro'.

Yes, to describe a company that doesn't respect its customers or a colleague who is being unprofessional.

No, it must be reflexive: 'prendersi'.

It is standard Italian used equally across the entire country.

90% of the time, yes. It implies a lack of respect or a trick.

Only to say someone is 'playing' with your heart, which is negative.

Respecting someone ('rispettare') or taking them seriously ('prendere sul serio').

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

prendere in giro

similar

To tease or kid someone.

🔄

farsi beffe di

synonym

To mock with disdain.

🔄

deridere

synonym

To deride or mock.

🔗

stare al gioco

contrast

To play along with a joke.

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mettere in ridicolo

builds on

To ridicule someone publicly.

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