Intermediate (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-는 척하다

Used when a person pretends to do something or be in a certain state that doesn't match reality. The subject is knowingly acting a role.

Summary

Equivalent

To pretend to / To act as if

Also: -는 체하다 (Pretend to — identical meaning, slightly more formal)

Example

I knew that person, but I pretended not to.

그 사람을 알고 있었지만 모르는 척했어요.

Grammar rules

  • Used for deliberate pretence, not mistakes.
  • '모르는 척하다' (pretend not to know), '자는 척하다' (pretend to sleep).
  • The behaviour is intentional deception or acting.

Patterns

1

Verbs (Present Pretence)

Present · Verb Stem + 는 척하다

2

Verbs (Past Pretence)

Past · Verb Stem + (으)ㄴ 척하다

3

Adjectives (State Pretence)

Present · Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 척하다

Example sentences

Verbs (Present Pretence) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 척하다

I knew that person, but I pretended not to.

그 사람을 알고 있었지만 모르는 척했어요.

Adjectives (State Pretence) · Present · Adj Stem + (으)ㄴ 척하다

I was actually hungry, but I pretended to be full.

사실은 배가 고팠는데 배부른 척했어요.

Verbs (Present Pretence) · Present · Verb Stem + 는 척하다

When mum came in I pretended to be asleep to avoid the nagging.

엄마가 들어왔을 때 자는 척해서 잔소리를 피했어요.

Conversation

A: Sumi clearly heard what I said. Why isn't she replying?

수미가 분명히 내 얘기 들었는데 왜 대답 안 해요?

B: She's probably pretending not to have heard.

아마 못 들은 척하는 것 같아요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct pretence form.

Pretending to study.

Pretending to know.