虚勢(きょせい)

きょせい
noun
bluff, bravado, false show of strength
abstract
1. bluff, bravado, false show of strength
A display of confidence or strength that is not genuine; pretending to be more capable or confident than one actually is.
虚勢(きょせい)を張(は)る
to put on a brave front/to bluff
彼(かれ)は虚勢(きょせい)を張(は)っているだけだ。
He's just putting on a brave front.
虚勢(きょせい)を張(は)らずに、素直(すなお)に助(たす)けを求(もと)めればいいのに。
Instead of putting on a brave front, you should just honestly ask for help.

Usage: Almost always used in the expression 虚勢(きょせい)を張(は)る (to put on a brave front, to bluff). Rarely used outside this collocation.

Nuance: 虚勢(きょせい) implies that the display of strength or confidence is hollow—the person is actually weak, scared, or uncertain but trying to appear otherwise. It can be sympathetic (someone trying to cope) or critical (someone being deceptive).

Common expressions

  • 虚勢(きょせい)を張(は)る (to put on a brave front)
  • 虚勢(きょせい)だけ (just bravado)

Related words

Related Words

Related: 強(つよ)がり (pretending to be tough)
Related: 見栄(みえ) (vanity)
Related: 威嚇(いかく) (intimidation)
Homophone: 去勢(きょせい) (castration)
general
Added 2026.1.31 20:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09163_kyosei