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'.
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.
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 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.
He averted his eyes from me.
To act as if you don't know someone; to give the cold shoulder. Casual.
I ran into my ex in town but pretended not to see him.
He decided to act as if he hadn't seen the person lying on the ground (after the fact).