Japanese grammar
What does ～ぶる mean? Japanese grammar N1
～ぶる means act like…; pretend to be… (disapproving).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + ぶる な形語幹 + ぶる |
| Romaji | buru |
| Meaning | act like…; pretend to be… (disapproving) |
Forming it
| Noun (scholar) | 学者 + ぶる |
|---|---|
| na-adjective (arrogant) | 偉 + ぶる |
How to use it
A suffix: to pretend to have a quality/status that doesn't actually apply. Always carries a critical tone.
- 「～ぶる」 = to put on an air of being A even though it's not really the case. Always carries the speaker's CRITICAL tone.
- The root is usually a noun denoting status (学者・玄人) or a na-adjective (偉・上品).
- Often used in the form 「ぶっている」, as a modifier 「ぶった＋N」, or connecting form 「ぶって」.
Examples
彼はいつも学者ぶって話す。
He always talks like he’s some kind of scholar.
偉ぶるのはやめて、素直になったらどうだ。
Stop putting on airs and just be honest, why don’t you.
Keep in mind
- Always carries a disparaging tone.
- Not used for oneself (except in self-deprecation).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong彼は本当に学者ぶる人で、尊敬している。
He's a real scholar, and I respect him greatly.
Correct彼は本当の学者で、尊敬している。
「ぶる」 means PRETENDING (not actually true) and carries a critical tone; it isn't used for someone who really is that way.
-
Wrong彼女はいつも女優にぶっている。
She's always putting on the air of an actress.
Correct彼女はいつも女優ぶっている。
「ぶる」 attaches DIRECTLY after the noun, without inserting the particle 「に」.
Exam tips
- 「ぶる」 = to put on an act (critical); attaches directly to a noun/na-adjective stem.