pretending
pretending — 形容詞
- pretendingpositive
- more pretendingcomparative
- most pretendingsuperlative
1. Describing something that exists only in a person's mind or imagination, not in
虛構的
存在於想像而非現實中的
Describing something that exists only in a person's mind or imagination, not in the actual world — like children's make-believe objects or roles in a game where everyday items stand for real things.
The children's pretend game kept them busy all afternoon in the garden.
孩子們的虛構遊戲讓他們整個下午都在花園裡玩得很開心。
attributive adjective 'pretend' before noun (game)
Mira spoke in a pretend voice while acting like a pirate captain on the sofa.
Mira 用虛構的聲音說話，假裝自己是沙發上的海盜船長。
attributive adjective 'pretend' + noun (voice)
The pretend castle was built with blankets draped over four kitchen chairs.
那座虛構的城堡是用毯子搭在四張廚房椅子上做成的。
Erik made a pretend telephone from two tin cans and a long piece of string.
Erik 用兩個空罐頭和一條長繩做了一個虛構的電話。
- make-believe
The most common alternative in child-play contexts; 'make-believe castle' is equally natural.
- imaginary
Broader term for anything that exists only in the mind, not limited to play contexts.
- real
Describes things that actually exist in the physical world.
用法筆記
The attributive adjective form in standard English is 'pretend' (not 'pretending'), e.g. 'a pretend castle', 'a pretend game'. This sense describes objects and roles in children's imaginative play. The gerund-participle 'pretending' does not function as an attributive adjective; use the base form 'pretend' before nouns.
常見錯誤
2. Made to look or seem like something real, but actually being a copy or false ver
假的；仿冒的
看似真實實際上是仿造的
Made to look or seem like something real, but actually being a copy or false version that is meant to appear authentic — for example a display of emotion that is not sincerely felt, or a product that is an imitation.
The shop sold pretend leather wallets that looked real but cost very little.
那家店賣仿冒皮夾，看起來像真品但價格非常便宜。
attributive adjective 'pretend' + material noun (leather)
Nadia gave a pretend smile at the office party, though she felt tired and upset.
Nadia 在公司派對上露出了假笑，雖然她感到疲倦又心煩。
Astrid saw through the salesman's pretend concern and realized the man just wanted a sale.
Astrid 看穿了那位銷售員裝出來的關心，明白對方只是想做成生意。
The pretend sympathy from the neighbours was worse than honest silence.
鄰居們假裝的同情比坦誠的沉默更讓人難受。
- fake
More common and direct; 'fake leather' is used far more often than 'pretend leather'.
- mock
Suggests something is made to imitate the real thing often for display or practice purposes, e.g. 'mock exam'.
- feigned
Used for emotions or actions that are deliberately pretended, usually in formal or literary writing.
用法筆記
The attributive adjective form is 'pretend' (not 'pretending'). Unlike sense adj/1 (IMAGINARY), this sense carries a negative judgment — the person or thing is deliberately faking something, not engaged in innocent play. For imitation objects, 'fake' or 'imitation' are more common alternatives in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
pretending — 動詞
- pretendingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- pretendings3rd person singular
- pretendinging-ing form
- pretendingedpast simple
1. To act, speak, or behave in a way that you know does not match the truth — eithe
假裝；偽裝
做出不真實的言行來欺騙或遊戲
To act, speak, or behave in a way that you know does not match the truth — either to trick someone into believing something false, or to create an imaginary situation for fun during play.
Felipe pretended to be asleep so his younger sister would stop asking him to play.
Felipe 假裝睡著了，好讓妹妹不再找他玩。
pretend + to be + adjective (asleep)
Mira pretended that the old wooden crate was a boat sailing down a wide river.
Mira 假裝那個舊木箱是一艘沿著大河航行的船。
pretend + that-clause for imaginary play
The cat pretended not to hear Ravindra when he called it for dinner.
那隻貓假裝沒聽到 Ravindra 叫牠吃飯。
"I am not sick," Ayana whispered, "I am just pretending so I can stay home."
「我沒有生病，」Ayana 小聲說，「我只是裝病以便待在家裡。」
Shirin pretended she had not seen the spilled milk and quietly cleaned it up.
Shirin 假裝沒看到打翻的牛奶，默默地把它清理乾淨。
- make believe
Used mainly in child-play contexts; slightly more informal than 'pretend'.
- fake
More informal and often implies deception rather than innocent play; 'fake' is also a verb, e.g. 'He faked a headache'.
- feign
A formal or literary word meaning to pretend a feeling or condition; 'She feigned indifference'.
- be honest
To be truthful rather than deceptive.
- be genuine
To act in a way that matches your real feelings or situation.
文法句型
pretend + to-infinitive
pretend + that-clause
pretend + [noun phrase]
pretend to be + [adjective/noun]
pretend + direct speech
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of 'pretend'. It covers both innocent play (children pretending to be superheroes) and deliberate deception (pretending to be ill). The structure 'pretend + to-infinitive' is very frequent in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. To honestly refrain from making a false statement about your own knowledge, skil
妄稱
不實聲稱具備某種知識或能力（常用否定句）
To honestly refrain from making a false statement about your own knowledge, skill, or understanding — used almost always in negative sentences, where saying you do not 'pretend' means you openly admit your limits.
Astrid did not pretend to understand the complex instructions and asked for help.
Astrid 沒有妄稱自己理解那些複雜的說明，她開口請求協助。
did not pretend + to-infinitive — honest admission of limits
Shirin does not pretend to know much about cars, but she can change a tyre.
Shirin 沒有妄稱自己很懂車，但她會換輪胎。
does not pretend + to-infinitive
I will not pretend this project will be quick — it will take months of work.
我不會妄稱這個計畫很快就能完成——它需要幾個月的工夫。
Amihan does not pretend to have all the answers; she listens carefully to every suggestion.
Amihan 沒有妄稱自己知道所有答案；她仔細聆聽每一個建議。
Erik never pretends to be a wine expert, but he knows good wine.
Erik 從不妄稱自己是紅酒專家，但他懂得品酒。
- claim falsely
The opposite action — making a statement you know is untrue.
文法句型
does not / don't pretend + to-infinitive
would not pretend + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Almost always appears in negative constructions (don't pretend, doesn't pretend, won't pretend). The positive form ('He pretends to know') belongs to verb sense 1 (FAKE / MAKE BELIEVE), because claiming false knowledge is a form of deception. Distinguish from verb/1 by the negative frame and the focus on honesty about one's own limits.