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).
The children are playing doctor.
Make-believe play nurtures imagination.
Specifically refers to playing house or kitchen pretend play. Very common among young children.
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.
Symbolic play is important for cognitive development.
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.
Literally 'in imagination'. Used to describe something that exists only in the mind.
It's an imaginary creature.
A more formal or literary term for 'fiction' or 'fabrication'. Often used in literary criticism or philosophical contexts.
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.
He pretended to be asleep.
Children often pretend to be adults.
Means 'to imitate' or 'to copy'. Can be used for make-believe when someone is mimicking a role or person.
She likes to pretend to be a singer.
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.
This novel explores the boundary between fiction and reality.