Translation guide
How to express the idea of deliberately ignoring something you see, from casual avoidance to formal overlooking.
He pretended not to see my mistake.
It's not good to pretend not to see someone collapsed on the street.
Literally 'treat as if I didn't see it'. Used when you consciously decide to ignore something you've witnessed.
Please pretend you didn't see what just happened.
Let's pretend we didn't see his mistake.
To pretend not to notice. Slightly broader than just seeing; can include hearing or sensing.
She pretended not to notice me.
To overlook, let pass, or turn a blind eye. Often implies leniency or intentional ignoring of a fault.
I'll overlook his lateness this time.
To deliberately not look at someone to avoid interaction.
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.
He pretended not to see the person lying on the ground (at that moment).
He decided to act as if he hadn't seen the person lying on the ground (after the fact).
I ran into my ex in town but pretended not to see him.