Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pretend" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pretend", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
見せかける
みせかける (misekakeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
見せ掛ける
みせかける (misekakeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pretend" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 見せかける and 見せ掛ける.
In Japanese, 見せかける (みせかける (misekakeru)) is typically associated with "to pretend, to feign, to make believe, to disguise oneself as" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies an act of deception, making something appear to be what it is not, or faking an emotion or state. Often used to trick or mislead someone..
On the other hand, 見せ掛ける (みせかける (misekakeru)) maps to "to pretend, to feign, to make believe, to disguise oneself as" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To make something appear to be true or real when it is not, often with the intention to deceive or mislead.. A literal translation of "pretend" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "見せかける"
彼は親切に見せかけて、私からお金をだまし取ろうとした。
He pretended to be kind and tried to swindle money from me.
Bilingual Context for "見せ掛ける"
彼は善良な人を_______て、多くの人を騙した。
He pretended to be a good person and deceived many people.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は親切に見せかけて、私からお金をだまし取ろうとした。" (Meaning: "He pretended to be kind and tried to swindle money from me.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "見せかける" fits here because it means "to pretend, to feign, to make believe, to disguise oneself as" in the context of: "He pretended to be kind and tried to swindle money from me.". "見せ掛ける" represents "to pretend, to feign, to make believe, to disguise oneself as".