Translation guide
The English word 'pretence' covers a range of meanings from pretending something is true, to making a false show, to a claim or affectation. This guide helps learners express these nuances naturally in Japanese.
To act as if something is the case when it is not, often to deceive or play.
The most common way to say 'pretence' in the sense of pretending. Often used in the pattern 〜ふりをする (to pretend to do something).
彼は寝たふりをした。
He pretended to be asleep.
知らないふりをしないで。
Don't pretend you don't know.
Same as ふり but often written with kanji. Slightly more formal or literary.
彼女は平静を装う振りをした。
She made a pretence of being calm.
Means 'pretence' as a false appearance or sham. Often used for things that are not what they seem.
彼の親切は見せかけだ。
His kindness is just a pretence.
To put on a display of a quality or feeling that is not genuine.
Bluff or bravado; a pretence of strength or confidence.
それはただの虚勢だ。
That's just a pretence.
From English 'pose', meaning an affected attitude or pretence. Casual.
Literally 'wearing a cat', meaning feigning innocence or pretending to be harmless. Colloquial.
To state something as true, especially without proof or justification.
A claim or assertion. Neutral, but can imply a pretence when the claim is false.
彼の無実の主張は偽りだった。
His pretence of innocence was false.
Self-proclaimed; often used for pretentious claims about oneself.
Imaginative play or fiction, often without deceptive intent.
Suffix meaning 'playing at' something. Used for children's pretend play or make-believe.
子供たちはお医者さんごっこをしている。
The children are playing doctors.
Playing house; a specific type of make-believe play.
A false reason given to hide the real one.
A pretext or excuse. Often used when someone uses a pretence to do something else.
彼は病気を口実に会議を欠席した。
He used illness as a pretence to miss the meeting.
A nominal reason or ostensible purpose. Slightly formal.
ふり is used for pretending to do something or be in a state, while 見せかけ refers to a false appearance or sham. Use ふり for actions and 見せかけ for deceptive appearances.
The English word 'pretence' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Choose the option that best matches the specific meaning you intend.
His serious attitude is just a pose.
彼女の猫かぶりには騙されない。
I'm not fooled by her pretence of innocence.
He's a self-proclaimed expert.
女の子はままごとが好きだ。
Girls like playing house.
それは単なる名目だ。
It's just a pretence.