装(よそお)う

よそおう
godan verb
to pretend, to dress up
1. to pretend, to feign, to act as if
To act as if something is true or to present a false appearance. Often used for pretending not to know something or putting on a facade.
知(し)らないふりを装(よそお)う
to pretend not to know
彼(かれ)は平静(へいせい)を装(よそお)っていた。
He was pretending to be calm.
何事(なにごと)もなかったかのように装(よそお)って、部屋(へや)に入(はい)った。
Acting as if nothing had happened, he entered the room.
2. to dress up, to adorn, to decorate
To dress oneself or decorate something in a certain way. Often used for putting on formal attire or decorating for occasions.
身(み)を装(よそお)う
to dress oneself
秋(あき)の装(よそお)い
autumn attire/decoration
会場(かいじょう)は華(はな)やかに装(よそお)われていた。
The venue was gorgeously decorated.

TRANSITIVITY: Transitive (他動詞(たどうし)). Takes を particle: ～を装(よそお)う.

CONJUGATION: Godan verb (wa-row): 装(よそお)わない, 装(よそお)います, 装(よそお)って.

NUANCE: For sense 1, 装(よそお)う implies deliberate pretense or putting on a facade. For sense 2, it has a more literary quality and is often used for formal or seasonal attire.

NOMINAL FORM: 装(よそお)い (appearance, attire, decoration)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 平静(へいせい)を装(よそお)う (to feign composure)
  • ～ふりを装(よそお)う (to pretend to ~)
  • 身(み)を装(よそお)う (to dress oneself)
  • 秋(あき)/春(はる)の装(よそお)い (autumn/spring attire)

RELATED WORDS:

  • 振(ふ)りをする (to pretend - more common)
  • 偽装(ぎそう)する (to disguise, falsify)
  • 着飾(きかざ)る (to dress up finely)
general
Added 2026.1.31 20:27
09000/09152_yosoou