1.
playing (game), make-believe, pretend
A suffix attached to nouns to indicate playing or pretending to be something. Fundamental to children's play vocabulary.
お医者さんごっこ。
Playing doctor.
Usage: Attaches to nouns to form compound nouns describing pretend play.
Compounds
- 鬼ごっこ (tag, lit. 'demon play')
- ままごと (playing house - irregular form, ごっこ becomes ごと)
- お店屋さんごっこ (playing shop)
- お医者さんごっこ (playing doctor)
- 戦争ごっこ (playing war)
- ヒーローごっこ (playing superhero)
Adult usage: Sometimes used sarcastically for adults acting childish or for insincere versions of activities: 恋愛ごっこ (playing at romance).