(うそな)

うそなき
noun
fake crying; crocodile tears
1. fake crying; crocodile tears; pretending to cry
crying that is not genuine, used to manipulate or deceive others
あの()嘘泣(うそな)きが上手(じょうず)だ。
That child is good at fake crying.
嘘泣(うそな)きして(おや)(あま)えた。
I fake-cried to get attention from my parents.
それは嘘泣(うそな)きだと見抜(みぬ)かれた。
They saw through my fake crying.

COMPOUND:
(うそ) (lie) + ()き (crying)

NUANCE:
Often associated with children trying to get their way, but can also refer to adults using tears manipulatively.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 嘘泣(うそな)きする - to fake cry
  • 嘘泣(うそな)きを見抜(みぬ)く - to see through fake crying
  • 嘘泣(うそな)きが上手(じょうず) - good at fake crying

RELATED:

  • (つく)(わら)い - fake smile
  • もらい()き - sympathetic crying (genuine)
  • 号泣(ごうきゅう) - wailing (genuine)