뜻
To pretend not to know or understand something.
문화적 배경
The variation 'hacerse el sueco' is extremely common. It's often used when someone ignores a direct call or debt. It reflects a historical sense of 'the outsider' who doesn't understand the local rules. In Mexico, you might hear 'hacerse pato'. It carries the same meaning of idling or pretending not to see a responsibility. The term 'hacerse el sota' is very common in the Rio de la Plata region. It comes from card games where the 'sota' (jack) is a figure that doesn't have much power, so you pretend to be unimportant or unaware. The concept of 'malicia indígena' is often associated with 'hacerse el tonto'. It's seen as a defensive strategy developed over centuries of colonial rule—appearing submissive or ignorant to avoid trouble with authorities.
The 'Se' is Key
Always remember the 'se'. It turns the verb into 'to act as' rather than 'to make'.
Gender Check
If you are a woman saying 'I played dumb', you must say 'Me hice la tonta'.
뜻
To pretend not to know or understand something.
The 'Se' is Key
Always remember the 'se'. It turns the verb into 'to act as' rather than 'to make'.
Gender Check
If you are a woman saying 'I played dumb', you must say 'Me hice la tonta'.
Social Softener
If you want to be less aggressive, use 'hacerse el desentendido'. It sounds more sophisticated.
Regional Flavor
Use 'hacerse el sueco' in Madrid to sound like a local!
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of 'hacerse el/la tonto/a'.
María no quiere admitir que rompió el plato; ella ________.
We need the reflexive 'se' and the feminine 'la tonta' to match María.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Regarding a group of men pretending not to hear a question:
The phrase must be reflexive and plural masculine to match 'ellos'.
Match the response to the situation.
Tu jefe te pregunta por un informe que olvidaste hacer, pero tú no quieres problemas.
Playing dumb usually involves feigning ignorance of information (like an email).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Viste que Juan se llevó mi cargador? B: Sí, pero cuando le pregunté, él ________.
Both 'se hizo el tonto' and 'se hizo el sueco' could work, but 'se hizo el tonto' is the standard idiom for this context. 'Se hizo el listo' means the opposite (to act smart/arrogant).
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제María no quiere admitir que rompió el plato; ella ________.
We need the reflexive 'se' and the feminine 'la tonta' to match María.
Regarding a group of men pretending not to hear a question:
The phrase must be reflexive and plural masculine to match 'ellos'.
Tu jefe te pregunta por un informe que olvidaste hacer, pero tú no quieres problemas.
Playing dumb usually involves feigning ignorance of information (like an email).
A: ¿Viste que Juan se llevó mi cargador? B: Sí, pero cuando le pregunté, él ________.
Both 'se hizo el tonto' and 'se hizo el sueco' could work, but 'se hizo el tonto' is the standard idiom for this context. 'Se hizo el listo' means the opposite (to act smart/arrogant).
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It can be if used directly to someone's face in a heated argument, but generally, it's a common way to describe a behavior rather than an insult to someone's intelligence.
Yes, just change it to 'se hacen los tontos' or 'se hacen las tontas'.
They are 99% synonymous. 'Hacerse el sueco' is more idiomatic and common in Spain, while 'hacerse el tonto' is universal.
Only if you are describing someone else's behavior informally. Don't say 'Me gusta hacerme el tonto' as a skill!
Not necessarily lying about a fact, but always 'lying' about your level of awareness or understanding.
¡No te hagas el tonto conmigo!
Yes, 'fingir ignorancia' or 'hacerse el desentendido'.
Yes, it's very common for kids to use it when they don't want to do chores.
Yes! 'Hacerse el loco' (play crazy), 'Hacerse el difícil' (play hard to get).
Frequently, especially in dialogue to show a character's cunning nature.
관련 표현
Hacerse el sueco
synonymTo play the Swede / To play dumb.
Hacerse el desentendido
similarTo act as if one didn't hear/understand.
Hacerse el listo
contrastTo act like a smart-ass / To be a know-it-all.
Hacer el tonto
builds onTo fool around / To waste time.
Hacerse el loco
similarTo play crazy / To ignore rules.
