Translation guide
The English verb 'pretend' covers several related ideas: acting as if something is true when it is not, engaging in make-believe play, and feigning a state or action. Japanese uses different expressions depending on the nuance.
To act as if something is true or as if you are doing something, often to deceive or avoid something.
pretend to be asleep · pretend not to notice · pretend to be happy
The most common and versatile way to say 'pretend to do/be'. Attach to the plain form of a verb or adjective.
彼は寝たふりをした。
He pretended to be asleep.
She pretended not to know.
To feign or put on an appearance, often used for emotions or states. More formal/literary than ふりをする.
彼は平静を装った。
He pretended to be calm.
To make something look like something else; to feign an appearance or situation. Often implies deception.
彼は事故に見せかけた。
He made it look like an accident.
To engage in imaginative play, especially by children, where they act out roles or scenarios.
pretend to be a superhero · play pretend · let's pretend we're pirates
Used for children's pretend play, like playing house or doctor. Attach to a noun describing the role or activity.
子供たちはお医者さんごっこをしている。
The children are playing doctor.
To imitate or pretend to be someone/something. Can be used for both playful and mocking imitation.
彼は犬のまねをした。
He pretended to be a dog.
To deliberately ignore or act unaware of something, often to avoid involvement or embarrassment.
pretend you didn't hear · pretend not to see · act like you don't know
To pretend not to know or notice; to feign ignorance. Very common in casual speech.
彼は私を見ても知らんぷりをした。
He pretended not to see me.
To pretend not to see something; to turn a blind eye. Literally 'see and pretend not to see'.
彼はその問題を見て見ぬふりをした。
He pretended not to see the problem.
To assume a false identity or role, often for deception or performance.
pretend to be a doctor · pretend to be rich · pretend to be someone you're not
To impersonate or pretend to be someone else, often with intent to deceive.
彼は警察官になりすました。
He pretended to be a police officer.
To falsify or misrepresent, such as one's identity, age, or feelings. More formal.
Use ふりをする for feigning a state or action (often deceptive or evasive). Use ごっこをする for playful, imaginative role-playing, especially among children.
Avoid directly translating 'pretend' as a single word. Japanese usually requires a pattern like ふりをする or a specific verb. Saying 'プリテンドする' is not natural.
彼は身分を偽った。
He pretended to be someone else (falsified his identity).