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Vocabulary

What does とぼける (tobokeru) mean?

とぼける means to play dumb, feign ignorance; to act the fool.

Quick facts
Readingとぼける
Romajitobokeru
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N1
とぼける
N1 · estimated, JLPT frameworktobokeru

to play dumb, feign ignorance; to act the fool

Example sentences

  • He had a feigned look of innocence on his face.

  • Don't play dumb when you know perfectly well!

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Data sources and licences

Entries, readings and English glosses: JMdict — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and their translations written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.