取笑 = to jest 戏弄 = to prank, to ridicule

○○ Meaning & Usage 取笑 transitive Verb, literally (取而)笑之 select and ridicule. Meaning to laugh at sb or make jokes about them, either in a friendly way or in order to annoy or embarrass them. Structure Pattern: V + Somebody, sometimes V + Clause 戏弄 transitive Verb, literally 戏而弄之, tease, tease. Meaning the same as 取笑. Structure Pattern: V + Somebody ○○ Nuances 1. In contrast, "取笑" has a slightly more emphasis on "笑ridicule" while "戏弄" a slightly more emphasis on "戏tease". 2. 取笑 is entirely vocal action while 戏弄 may go with physical action, more similar to trick 3. Both are literary，and 戏弄 to a lesser degree. 戏弄nowadays( with more people being educated) is more used than before in spoken language while 取笑 remains a bit unnatural if used in everyday conversations. In everyday speech, 逗，作弄/捉弄，耍 (a bit dialectal) are more used. ○○Related words( only for your information): 耍弄 戏耍 嘲笑 讥笑 讥讽 讥刺 讥诮 讽刺 奚落 挖苦

【取笑】：取乐讥笑，带有嘲笑的含义； 【戏弄】：轻辱捉弄，带有辱弄的含义； 两词的意思相近但是不能直接替换，需要看是什么情形下用什么词汇；比如例句： 1.小女孩说话带有南方口音，常常被同学取笑； 2.这帮孩子很叛逆，常玩花招戏弄他们的老师；

取笑：ridicule 戏弄：abuse

“取笑”侧重言语，“戏弄”侧重行为。