ふりをする

ふりをする means to pretend; to act as if ~; to feign ~. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to describe someone pretending to be in a state they are not, or disguising their true feelings.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to describe intentional deception or performance, ふりをする is a useful pattern to learn.

What does ふりをする mean?

Use ふりをする when you want to describe someone pretending to be in a state they are not, or disguising their true feelings.

Natural translations include:

• to pretend; to act as if ~
• to pretend; to act as if ~; to feign ~
• to pretend; to act as if

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

How to form ふりをする

Noun / Verb stem + ふりをする

Examples of the pattern:

• 知らないふりをする
• 寝たふりをする
• 分かったふりをする

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is ふりをする used?

Use ふりをする in situations like:

• acting
• hiding feelings
• playing dumb

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in acting, test questions, and written narratives

ふりをする example sentences

• 知らないふりをした。 — I pretended not to know.
• 彼は分かったふりをしている。 — He is pretending to understand.
• 寝たふりをして逃げた。 — I pretended to be asleep and ran away.
• 疲れたふりをして仕事をやめた。 — I pretended to be tired and stopped working.
• 親切なふりをしてだまされた。 — I was deceived by someone pretending to be kind.

After reading each sentence, ask what job ふりをする is doing: describing someone pretending to be in a state they are not. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of ふりをする

The key nuance is always intentional; describes conscious deception or performance, not genuine emotion.

This matters because 〜ふりをする is about acting. It implies the person knows the truth but chooses to perform otherwise. It can be playful, deceptive, or diplomatic.

For example:

• In acting, it sounds natural and specific.
• Compared with そうに見える, it carries a different weight and implication.

ふりをする vs そうに見える

Both ふりをする and そうに見える can express to pretend, but they are different.

ふりをする:

• describes a deliberate act of pretending; intentional and conscious

そうに見える:

• describes how something looks to an observer; no intentionality implied

Quick contrast examples:

• 疲れているそうに見える。 — They look tired (observation).
• 疲れたふりをしている。 — They are pretending to be tired (acting).

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with ふりをする

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it for genuine states (incorrect: 嬉しいふりをする unless actually pretending)
• Confusing it with そうだ (appearance vs. pretense)
• Using it in formal writing where 装う (よそおう) might be more appropriate

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with ふりをする, then rewrite it with そうに見える. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is ふりをする on the JLPT?

Yes. ふりをする is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for ふりをする

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say someone pretended not to see you.
• Describe a child pretending to be asleep.
• Say you pretended to understand a conversation.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for ふりをする

To learn ふりをする efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with appearance-based patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form ふりをする without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ように見える or そうだ. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where ふりをする is necessary; then check whether replacing it with an appearance-based pattern changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ように見える（ようにみえる） — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• とみえる / とみえて — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• まるで — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.
• そうだ — because it also expresses appearance, impression, or uncertain judgment.

Learn ふりをする with Hane

If you want to review ふりをする together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

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