ごっこ
ごっこ
suffix
playing (game), pretend play
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.
ままごとをする。
To play house.
お医者さんごっこ。
Playing doctor.
子供たちがヒーローごっこで遊んでいる。
The children are playing superhero.
USAGE: Attaches to nouns to form compound nouns describing pretend play.
COMMON 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).