嘲弄 (cháo nòng) is a verb meaning 'to taunt' or 'to make fun of' someone in a mocking, often unkind way. The first character 嘲 (cháo) carries the core sense of ridicule or derision, while 弄 (nòng) here functions as a light verb that adds a sense of playful or careless manipulation — together, they emphasize intentional, often public mockery rather than gentle teasing. It’s commonly used when describing behavior meant to embarrass, belittle, or provoke discomfort in others.

This word appears frequently in narratives about social conflict, school life, workplace dynamics, or moral discussions. Unlike milder terms like 开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào, 'to joke around'), 嘲弄 implies disrespect and emotional harm. It often appears with subjects like classmates, bullies, or online commenters, and can be followed by objects such as people, appearances, accents, or vulnerabilities. While not extremely formal, it’s more literary or critical than colloquial slang — you’ll see it in news reports, essays, and literature rather than casual chat.