Signification
To pretend not to know or understand something, often to avoid responsibility.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, 'hacerse el sueco' (to play the Swede) is just as common as 'hacerse el tonto'. It dates back to Swedish sailors in Spanish ports who pretended not to understand Spanish to avoid paying taxes or following rules. In Mexico, you might hear 'hacerse pato' (to play the duck). It's a slightly softer, more idiomatic way of saying the same thing. In Argentina, 'hacerse el sordo' (to play deaf) or 'hacerse el desentendido' are very frequent, often linked to the 'viveza criolla'—the art of being street-smart. In Colombia, 'hacerse el de las gafas' (to act like the one with glasses) is a colorful regional variation meaning to pretend not to see something.
The 'Se' is Key
Always include the reflexive pronoun. Without it, you're just telling someone they are acting like a clown, not that they are lying about what they know.
Gender Agreement
If you are a woman saying 'I played dumb,' you must say 'Me hice la tonta.' Using the masculine form sounds like a grammatical error.
Signification
To pretend not to know or understand something, often to avoid responsibility.
The 'Se' is Key
Always include the reflexive pronoun. Without it, you're just telling someone they are acting like a clown, not that they are lying about what they know.
Gender Agreement
If you are a woman saying 'I played dumb,' you must say 'Me hice la tonta.' Using the masculine form sounds like a grammatical error.
Use it for 'Ghosting'
In modern Spanish, this is the perfect phrase to describe someone who ignores messages. 'Se hace el tonto con mis WhatsApps.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'hacerse el tonto' (watch the gender and number!).
Mi hermana siempre ______ cuando hay que limpiar la cocina.
The subject is 'mi hermana' (feminine singular), so we use 'se hace' and 'la tonta'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business meeting?
You want to say that a client is pretending not to know about a contract clause.
'Desentendido' is the formal register equivalent of 'hacerse el tonto'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Sabes dónde está mi chocolate? B: ¿Chocolate? ¿Qué chocolate? No he visto nada. A: ¡No ______! Tienes la cara manchada de marrón.
We need the negative imperative (No + subjunctive) for 'tú'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A politician avoids answering a question about a scandal by talking about the weather.
The politician is feigning ignorance/distraction to avoid responsibility.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Hacer el tonto vs. Hacerse el tonto
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMi hermana siempre ______ cuando hay que limpiar la cocina.
The subject is 'mi hermana' (feminine singular), so we use 'se hace' and 'la tonta'.
You want to say that a client is pretending not to know about a contract clause.
'Desentendido' is the formal register equivalent of 'hacerse el tonto'.
A: ¿Sabes dónde está mi chocolate? B: ¿Chocolate? ¿Qué chocolate? No he visto nada. A: ¡No ______! Tienes la cara manchada de marrón.
We need the negative imperative (No + subjunctive) for 'tú'.
Situation: A politician avoids answering a question about a scandal by talking about the weather.
The politician is feigning ignorance/distraction to avoid responsibility.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt can be if you say it to a stranger or in a very serious context. However, among friends or family, it's a common way to call out an excuse.
Yes! Just pluralize everything: 'Se hacen los tontos' or 'Se hacen las tontas'.
They are 99% synonymous. 'Hacerse el sueco' is slightly more idiomatic and very popular in Spain.
It's much harsher. 'Tonto' is the standard word for this idiom. 'Estúpido' sounds like a real insult.
Use the preterite for a specific event: 'Me hice el tonto'. Use the imperfect for a habit: 'Me hacía el tonto'.
Expressions liées
Hacerse el sueco
synonymTo pretend not to understand.
Hacerse el loco
similarTo act crazy or ignore a situation.
Hacer el tonto
contrastTo act silly or waste time.
Hacerse el desentendido
specialized formTo act as if one didn't notice.
