嘲弄
cháo nòng · HSK 7
to tease
😜🫵 CHAO-tic mocking + NONGsense — chaotic nonsense is what teasing is
cháo sounds like 'chao' in chaotic, nòng like 'nong' in nonsense. Teasing someone is basically throwing chaotic nonsense their way to get a reaction.
弄 — 廾 (two hands) + 玉 (jade)
Originally a pictograph of two hands holding a piece of jade, showing someone playing with or handling a precious object. The meaning extended from 'to play with' to 'to handle, manipulate, or do.' Today it commonly means to do, make, or fool around with something.