振りをする
To pretend, To act as if
Structure
［い］Adjective + ふりをする
［な］Adjective + な + ふりをする
Noun + の + ふりをする
(1) Verb［ない］、Verb［た］
Explanation
The Japanese expression ふりをする is used to describe someone 'pretending to (A)' or 'acting as if (A)'. This grammar pattern is formed by combining the noun 振り, which means 'pretense' or 'appearance', with the object-marking particle を and the verb する. It conveys the idea of deliberately presenting a false impression or feigning a certain state or action.
Because ふり functions as a noun, it can be directly modified by the attributive form of other words, such as verbs and adjectives.
- ニュースを見たのに、彼はその件について知らなかった振りをした。Even though he saw the news, he pretended not to know anything about the matter.
- 先生の話はつまらなかったので、聞いている振りをした。The teacher's lecture was boring, so I pretended to be listening.
- 転んでとても痛かったが、恥ずかしいから痛くない振りをした。I fell and it really hurt, but I was embarrassed so I pretended it didn't hurt.
- どんなに辛くても、彼は大丈夫な振りをしてみせた。No matter how painful it was, he always managed to pretend he was okay.
- 子供たちはよくお医者さんの振りをして、ぬいぐるみを診察する。The children often pretend to be doctors and give their stuffed animals a check-up.
Fun Fact
The noun 振り has a number of meanings, but in this grammar point it refers specifically to one's outward manner or conduct. Because of this, ふり is used to highlight a difference between how a person is acting on the outside and what they are actually feeling or thinking on the inside. It describes the external appearance of an action or state, which may or may not be genuine.
Examples
ピーマンを食べた振りをして、こっそり犬にあげた。
He pretended to eat his green peppers and secretly gave them to the dog.
彼は本当は泳げないのに、できる振りをしている。
Even though he can't actually swim, he is pretending that he can.
答えを知っていたが、知らない振りをした。
Even though I knew the answer, I pretended that I didn't know.
学生の振りをして、映画館の割引を受けた。
I got a movie theater discount by pretending to be a student.
面倒な仕事を頼まれたので、忙しい振りをした。
I was asked to do a troublesome task, so I pretended to be busy.
彼女は悲しいのに、みんなの前では元気な振りをしている。
Even though she is sad, she pretends to be cheerful in front of everyone.
すぐに返事ができなかったので、考えている振りをした。
I couldn't answer right away, so I pretended to be thinking.
失恋したばかりなのに、平気な振りをするなんて、彼は強いね。
He's so strong, acting as if he's fine even though he just had his heart broken.
お化け屋敷で怖くない振りをしていたけど、足が震えていた。
He was pretending not to be scared in the haunted house, but his legs were shaking.
会議中、眠かったが興味がある振りをした。
During the meeting, I was sleepy, but I pretended to be interested.
携帯をなくしたと慌てた振りをしたが、ポケットに入っていた。
I pretended to panic that I had lost my phone, but it was in my pocket.
恥ずかしいから、駅で他人の振りをしてください。
I'm embarrassed, so please pretend to be a stranger at the station.