fake crying; crocodile tears
Refers to deliberately pretending to cry, often to manipulate or gain sympathy. Can be used for children or adults.
子供の作り泣きに騙されないで。
Don't be fooled by the child's fake crying.
彼女の作り泣きにはもう慣れた。
I'm used to her crocodile tears by now.
Compound of 作り (tsukuri, 'making' or 'manufactured') + 泣き (naki, 'crying'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently means 'manufactured crying'.