Translation guide
The English word 'pretense' covers a range of ideas from pretending and false appearances to claims and excuses. This guide helps learners express these concepts naturally in Japanese, organized by the intended meaning.
To act as if something is true when it is not, often to deceive or play a role.
The most common and versatile way to say 'pretending'. Attach to a verb in plain form or noun + の.
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.
A slightly more formal or explicit version of ふり. Often used in written or careful speech.
彼女は驚いた振りをした。
She pretended to be surprised.
To make something look like something else; to feign or fake an appearance. Often used for disguising objects or situations.
事故に見せかけて保険金を詐取した。
They faked an accident to defraud insurance.
To falsify or lie about something, such as one's identity, age, or facts. More formal and often used in legal or official contexts.
身分を偽って入国した。
He entered the country under false pretenses.
An outward show that hides the truth; a deceptive appearance or display.
A noun meaning 'semblance' or 'façade'. Often used for things that are not what they seem.
彼の親切は見せかけに過ぎない。
His kindness is just a pretense.
The surface or outward appearance, often implying shallowness or deception.
Ostentation or false glitter; a showy pretense. Often used in literary or critical contexts.
A false reason given to justify an action or to hide the real motive.
A pretext or excuse. Commonly used when someone uses a false reason to do something.
彼は病気を口実に会議を欠席した。
He used illness as a pretense to skip the meeting.
A nominal reason or pretext; often used in formal or business contexts for something done under the guise of something else.
To use something as a pretext; to make an excuse. Often used in the pattern 〜にかこつけて.
Behavior that is artificial and designed to impress; putting on airs.
Affectation; putting on airs. Often used in compounds like 気取り屋 (a pretentious person).
彼女には気取りがない。
She is without pretense.
Affectation or showing off, especially in artistic or literary contexts. Implies a lack of naturalness.
Same as てらい but using the kanji. Very literary and rare.
ふり is used for pretending to do something (actions), while 見せかけ is used for false appearances of things or situations. For example, 寝たふり (pretending to sleep) vs. 事故の見せかけ (a faked accident).
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'pretense'. Always choose the option that matches the specific meaning you want to convey. Using a direct translation like プリテンス will not be understood.
彼は聞いているふりをした。
He made a pretense of listening.
彼らの幸せは見せかけに過ぎなかった。
Their happiness was just a pretense.
彼女は本を借りるという口実で訪ねてきた。
She called on the pretense of borrowing a book.
It was a friendship that was only a pretense.
Lead a life without pretense.
出張という名目で旅行に行った。
He went on a trip under the pretense of a business trip.
忙しさにかこつけて連絡しなかった。
I didn't contact you under the pretense of being busy.
The writing is without pretense.
The writing is without pretense.