feigned ignorance; playing dumb
Refers to the act of pretending not to know something, often in a playful or evasive manner. Commonly used in the phrase とぼけを決め込む (to brazenly play dumb).
Even though he knew, he brazenly played dumb.
That kind of feigned ignorance won't work.
play dumb; feign ignorance; act innocent · play the fool; act silly · be senile; be in one's dotage
feigned ignorance; playing dumb
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 惚け and 恍け are rare.
Rare kanji form; learners should prefer the kana spelling.
Rare kanji form; learners should prefer the kana spelling.
Derived from the verb とぼける (to play dumb). The kanji 惚 is associated with being absent-minded or infatuated, but the exact historical derivation is uncertain.