Translation guide
How to express the idea of deliberately ignoring something you see, from casual avoidance to formal overlooking.
To act as if you haven't noticed something, often to avoid involvement or awkwardness.
The most common and natural way to say 'pretend not to see'. Literally 'do a see-and-not-see act'.
彼は私の失敗を見て見ぬふりをした。
He pretended not to see my mistake.
道で倒れている人を見て見ぬふりをするのはよくない。
It's not good to pretend not to see someone collapsed on the street.
To deliberately not look at someone to avoid interaction.
To avert one's gaze. Commonly used when you pretend not to see someone by looking away.
彼は私から目をそらした。
He averted his eyes from me.
見て見ぬふりをする emphasizes the act of pretending at the moment of seeing. 見なかったことにする is used after the fact, to treat something as if it never happened.
彼は倒れている人を見て見ぬふりをした。
He pretended not to see the person lying on the ground (at that moment).
彼は倒れている人を見なかったことにした。
He decided to act as if he hadn't seen the person lying on the ground (after the fact).
Literally 'treat as if I didn't see it'. Used when you consciously decide to ignore something you've witnessed.
今の話は見なかったことにしてください。
Please pretend you didn't see what just happened.
彼のミスは見なかったことにしよう。
Let's pretend we didn't see his mistake.
To pretend not to notice. Slightly broader than just seeing; can include hearing or sensing.
彼女は私に気づかないふりをした。
She pretended not to notice me.
To overlook, let pass, or turn a blind eye. Often implies leniency or intentional ignoring of a fault.
今回は彼の遅刻を見逃してあげよう。
I'll overlook his lateness this time.
To act as if you don't know someone; to give the cold shoulder. Casual.
街で元彼に会ったけど、知らんぷりした。
I ran into my ex in town but pretended not to see him.