Translation guide
The English word 'pretending' covers a range of situations: from playful make-believe to deceptive feigning. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the phrase ふりをする (furi o suru), but there are also specific verbs and expressions for different nuances.
To act as if something is true when it is not, often to deceive or avoid something.
The most common and versatile way to say 'pretend to do something'. Attach to the plain form of a verb or adjective.
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ください。
Please don't pretend you don't know.
To feign or put on an appearance, often used for emotions or states. More formal/literary than ふりをする.
平静を装った。
I pretended to be calm.
To make something look like something else; to fake or disguise. Often used for appearances or situations.
事故に見せかけた殺人
a murder disguised as an accident
To pretend in a game or imaginative context, like children playing.
Used for children's pretend play. Attach to a noun indicating the role or scenario.
子供たちはお医者さんごっこをしている。
The children are playing doctor.
Also used for playful pretending, but more general.
ライオンのふりをして遊ぼう。
Let's pretend to be lions.
To act as if you don't see, hear, or know something, often to avoid involvement.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'pretending not to know' or 'feigning ignorance'. Often used with をする.
彼は私を見ても知らんぷりだった。
He pretended not to see me.
Literally 'see and not-see pretense'. Means turning a blind eye; pretending not to notice something wrong.
いじめを見て見ぬふりをしてはいけない。
You must not pretend not to see bullying.
To assume a false identity or role, often for deception.
To impersonate or pose as someone else. Often used for online impersonation or fraud.
彼は警察官になりすました。
He impersonated a police officer.
To falsify or lie about one's identity, status, or facts. More formal.
ふりをする is for any kind of pretending, including deceptive or serious contexts. ごっこをする is specifically for children's imaginative play and sounds childish if used for adult deception.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'pretend'. Avoid trying to translate it word-for-word. Use the appropriate phrase for the context.
身分を偽って入国した。
He entered the country under a false identity.