JLPT · Level 110
30 words
Japanese word
とぼける
Pronunciation
Romajitobokeru
Meaning
- verbpretend not to know
Example
彼は質問されてもとぼけます。kare wa shitsu mon sa re te mo to bo ke ma su
He pretends not to know even when he is asked.
More examples
注意されても、とぼけて話をそらします。chū i sa re te mo to bo ke te hanashi o so ra shi ma su
Even when warned, he pretends not to know and changes the subject.
Core concept
Describes acting unaware so that known information can be avoided or concealed.
Common phrases
とぼけた顔to bo ke ta kao
an innocent look
とぼけた返事to bo ke ta hen ji
an evasive reply
とぼけた態度to bo ke ta tai do
an evasive attitude
Similar words
しらばっくれるshirabakkureru: To deliberately act as if one knows nothing about a matter, often to avoid responsibility.
すっとぼけるsuttobokeru: To act unaware in a blunt or playful way to avoid answering.
はぐらかすhagurakasu: To avoid answering directly by changing the subject or giving an unclear response.
Definition in Japanese
知っているのに知らないふりをして、問いただされることをかわす。shi tte i ru no ni shi ra na i fu ri o shi te to i ta da sa re ru ko to o ka wa su
Word origin
とぼける (tobokeru) is a native Japanese verb related to 惚ける (tobokeru), which means "to become absent-minded" or "to act foolish"; the meaning came to include pretending not to know.
Usage tips
- In Japanese conversations, とぼける (tobokeru) can describe a person who avoids admitting knowledge by acting innocent, so it often carries a playful or critical tone.
Other meanings
- play innocentverb
Related words
- とぼけぶりtobokeburievasive behaviornoun