Translation guide
The concept of pretending, imagination, or fantasy, often used in the context of children's play or describing something that is not real.
Referring to the activity where children (or adults) use imagination to create fictional scenarios, often called 'make-believe'.
The most common and natural way to say 'make-believe play' in Japanese. It is a compound of 'ごっこ' (pretend) and '遊び' (play). Used for specific types of pretend play like 'お店屋さんごっこ' (playing store).
Describing something that is imagined, fictitious, or not based in reality.
Means 'fictional' or 'imaginary'. Used for stories, characters, or situations that are made up.
The act of pretending something is true when it is not, often in a non-play context.
The most common way to say 'pretend' or 'make believe'. Can be used for both playful and deceptive pretending.
彼は寝たふりをした。
He pretended to be asleep.
子どもはよく大人のふりをする。
Children often pretend to be adults.
ごっこ遊び is the general term for any kind of pretend play, while ままごと specifically refers to playing house or kitchen. Use ごっこ遊び when the type of pretend play is not specified or when you attach a noun like お店屋さん (store) to it.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'make-believe' as a noun. The translation depends heavily on context. Avoid trying to use a direct equivalent; instead, choose the appropriate phrase based on whether you mean pretend play, fiction, or the act of pretending.
子どもたちはお医者さんごっこをしている。
The children are playing doctor.
ごっこ遊びは想像力を育てる。
Make-believe play nurtures imagination.
Specifically refers to playing house or kitchen pretend play. Very common among young children.
娘はままごとが大好きだ。
My daughter loves playing house.
A more technical or educational term for symbolic play where one object represents another (e.g., a block becomes a car). Used in child development contexts.
見立て遊びは認知発達に重要だ。
Symbolic play is important for cognitive development.
Literally 'in imagination'. Used to describe something that exists only in the mind.
それは想像上の生き物だ。
It's an imaginary creature.
A more formal or literary term for 'fiction' or 'fabrication'. Often used in literary criticism or philosophical contexts.
この小説は虚構と現実の境界を探る。
This novel explores the boundary between fiction and reality.
Means 'to imitate' or 'to copy'. Can be used for make-believe when someone is mimicking a role or person.
彼女は歌手の真似をするのが好きだ。
She likes to pretend to be a singer.