Pretending to... (-는/ㄴ/은 척하다)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -는/ㄴ/은 척하다 to describe someone acting as if something is true when it is not.
- Present tense: Add -는 척하다 to verb stems (e.g., 먹는 척하다).
- Past tense: Add -은/ㄴ 척하다 to verb stems (e.g., 먹은 척하다).
- Adjective usage: Use -은 척하다 for states (e.g., 예쁜 척하다).
Overview
The Korean grammar pattern -는/ㄴ/은 척하다 (romanized: -neun/n/eun cheokhada) is an essential intermediate structure used to express the act of pretending or feigning an action, state, or identity. It signifies a deliberate presentation of an appearance that is contrary to the underlying reality. At its core, it describes a conscious effort to create a false impression, whether to deceive, avoid responsibility, or for playful reasons.
This pattern is pervasive in everyday Korean communication, appearing in everything from casual conversation to media, making it crucial for B1 learners to master for genuine fluency.
Linguistically, 척하다 is derived from the dependent noun 척 (cheok), meaning 'pretense' or 'guise,' combined with the verb 하다 (hada), 'to do.' Therefore, you are literally "doing a pretense" of something. Understanding this core meaning helps clarify the various ways it attaches to verbs, adjectives, and nouns to create specific shades of meaning related to simulation or artificial behavior. It fundamentally addresses the discrepancy between an internal truth and an external, fabricated display, a concept vital for expressing nuanced social interactions.
How This Grammar Works
-는, -(으)ㄴ, -(이)ㄴ) to a verb stem, adjective stem, or noun. These endings are crucial because they transform the preceding word into a descriptive clause that specifies what is being pretended. The modified word then directly precedes the dependent noun 척 (cheok), which itself means 'pretense' or 'guise.' Finally, the verb 하다 (hada, to do) is attached to 척 and conjugates according to tense, politeness level, and mood, just like any other verb.자는 척하다 (janeun cheokhada, to pretend to sleep), the verb 자다 (to sleep) is transformed into its present participial form 자는 (sleeping), which then modifies 척 (pretense). The entire phrase 자는 척 effectively becomes "the pretense of sleeping," and 하다 then makes it "to do the pretense of sleeping." This structure highlights a clear divergence between one's internal state or true intention and the external behavior being displayed. It always implies that the subject knows the truth but chooses to act differently.척하다 explicitly implies intent to mislead or feign.그는 돈이 많은 척해요 (geuneun doni maneun cheokhaeyo, He pretends to have a lot of money). Here, the adjective 많다 (to be many/a lot) becomes 많은, modifying 척 to describe the pretense of having a lot of money. The speaker implies that, in reality, the person likely does not have much money, but is acting as if they do.-는/ㄴ/은 척하다. The pattern is thus a powerful tool for describing disingenuous behavior or conscious role-playing.Formation Pattern
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 depends on whether you are attaching it to a verb, an adjective, or a noun, as well as the tense you wish to express for the pretended action or state. The key is to correctly apply the appropriate determiner ending (-는, -(으)ㄴ, or -(이)ㄴ) before 척하다.
가다 → 가는 척하다 (pretend to go) | 가다 → 간 척하다 (pretend to have gone) |
먹다 → 먹는 척하다 (pretend to eat) | 먹다 → 먹은 척하다 (pretend to have eaten) |
ㄹ (Irregular) | -는 척하다 | -ㄴ 척하다 (drop ㄹ) | 만들다 → 만드는 척하다 (pretend to make) | 만들다 → 만든 척하다 (pretend to have made) |
-는 척하다 when the pretense is about an action that is currently being performed or is ongoing. The form V-는 functions as a present participle modifying 척.
아이가 자는 척해요 (aiga janeun cheokhaeyo, The child pretends to be sleeping). This implies the child is faking sleep at this moment.
공부하는 척했지만, 사실은 게임했어요. (gongbuhaneun cheokhaetjiman, sasireun geimnaesseoyo, I pretended to be studying, but actually played a game.) Here, the pretense was about the ongoing act of studying.
-(으)ㄴ 척하다 when the pretense is about an action that is being feigned as already completed in the past. The form V-(으)ㄴ functions as a past participle modifying 척.
숙제를 다 한 척했어요 (sukjereul da han cheokhaesseoyo, I pretended to have finished all my homework). This means you acted as if the homework was done.
밥을 먹은 척하고 방으로 들어갔어요. (babeul meogeun cheokhago bangeuro deureogatseoyo, I pretended to have eaten and went into my room.) The pretense was about the completion of eating.
ㄹ irregular verbs: When a verb stem ends in ㄹ (e.g., 살다 salda, to live; 만들다 mandeulda, to make; 알다 alda, to know), the ㄹ often drops when followed by certain endings. For -(으)ㄴ 척하다, the ㄹ drops before -ㄴ. So, 알다 + -(으)ㄴ 척하다 becomes 아는 척하다 (aneun cheokhada, to pretend to have known/to know), and 살다 + -(으)ㄴ 척하다 becomes 산 척하다 (san cheokhada, to pretend to have lived).
아프다 → 아픈 척하다 (pretend to be sick) | 아팠던 척하다 (pretend to have been sick) |
작다 → 작은 척하다 (pretend to be small) | 작았던 척하다 (pretend to have been small) |
-(으)ㄴ 척하다 to pretend to be in a certain state or possess a particular quality. The form A-(으)ㄴ functions as a descriptive determiner modifying 척.
그는 바쁜 척했어요 (geuneun bappeun cheokhaesseoyo, He pretended to be busy). This indicates he was not actually busy, but acted like it.
예쁘지 않은데 예쁜 척하는 사람이 많아요. (yeppeuji anneunde yeppeun cheokhaneun sarami manayo, There are many people who aren't pretty but pretend to be pretty.)
있다 (itda) and 없다 (eopda): While grammatically often classified as adjectives (especially for their descriptive nature), these behave like verbs in this construction, taking -는 척하다.
있는 척하다 (inneun cheokhada, to pretend to have/exist)
없는 척하다 (eomneun cheokhada, to pretend not to have/exist)
돈이 있는 척했지만 사실은 없었어요. (doni inneun cheokhaetjiman sasireun eopseosseoyo, I pretended to have money, but actually didn't.)
A-았/었+던 척하다. This emphasizes that the pretense was about a state that existed in the past. The form A-았/었+던 acts as a retrospective determiner.
어렸을 때 똑똑했던 척했어요 (eoryeosseul ttae ttokttokhaetdeon cheokhaesseoyo, When I was young, I pretended to have been smart). Here, the pretense is about a past state of being smart.
학생 → 학생인 척하다 (pretend to be a student) |
부자 → 부자인 척하다 (pretend to be a rich person) |
-(이)ㄴ 척하다 to pretend to be a certain identity or role. The 이 is omitted if the noun ends in a vowel. This literally translates to "to do the pretense of being a [Noun]."
그는 경찰관인 척했어요 (geuneun gyeongchalgwanin cheokhaesseoyo, He pretended to be a police officer).
나는 어른인 척했지만, 아직 아이 같아요. (naneun eoreunin cheokhaetjiman, ajik ai gatayo, I pretended to be an adult, but I still feel like a child.)
When To Use It
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 is a versatile pattern employed in various social and communicative contexts to describe situations where actions or states are feigned. Its usage often reflects social dynamics, a desire to manage perceptions, or even lighthearted play. Understanding these contexts is crucial for appropriate and natural application of the grammar.- To Avoid Undesirable Situations or Responsibilities: This is perhaps one of the most common applications. By pretending to be unaware, busy, or asleep, one can strategically sidestep obligations or uncomfortable encounters. This is a common social maneuver to minimize friction or effort.
설거지하기 싫어서 자는 척했어요.(seolgeojihagi sireoseo janeun cheokhaesseoyo, I pretended to be sleeping because I didn't want to do the dishes.)그 질문을 못 들은 척했어요. 대답하기 싫어서요.(geu jilmuneul mot deureun cheokhaesseoyo. daedaphagi sireoseoyo, I pretended not to have heard that question, because I didn't want to answer.)
- To Maintain Image or "Save Face" (체면: chemyeon): In Korean culture,
체면(face or dignity) is often an important consideration. This pattern is frequently used to describe someone acting in a way that preserves their dignity or reputation, even if it means hiding a truth or vulnerability. It's a way of managing how one is perceived by others. 사실은 잘 몰랐는데 아는 척했어요. 부끄러워서요.(sasireun jal mollanneunde aneun cheokhaesseoyo. bukkeureowoseoyo, Actually, I didn't know well, but I pretended to know. Because I was embarrassed.)힘들어도 안 힘든 척해야 했어요. 약해 보이기 싫어서요.(himdeureodo an himdeun cheokhaeya haesseoyo. yakhae boigi sireoseoyo, Even though it was difficult, I had to pretend it wasn't difficult. Because I didn't want to look weak.)
- For Playful Deception or Role-Playing: Children often engage in make-believe using this structure, bringing an element of fun and imagination. Adults might also use it in jest or in theatrical contexts, where the pretense is openly acknowledged or part of a game.
아기는 죽은 척하며 놀고 있었어요.(agineun jugeun cheokhamyeo nolgo isseosseoyo, The baby was playing, pretending to be dead.)산타 할아버지인 척 선물을 줬어요. 조카가 너무 좋아했어요.(santa harabeojiin cheok seonmureul jwosseoyo. jokaga neomu joahaesseoyo, I gave a gift pretending to be Santa Claus. My niece/nephew really loved it.)
- To Express Sarcasm or Irony: When observing someone whose behavior is clearly disingenuous or hypocritical,
척하다can be used sarcastically to highlight their fakery. This usage is often critical and exposes the perceived insincerity. 그렇게 착한 척하지만, 다 알아요. 당신의 진짜 모습은.(geureoke chakhan cheokhajiman, da arayo. dangsinui jinjja moseubeun, You pretend to be so nice, but I know everything. Your true self.)괜찮은 척하지 마세요. 힘든 거 다 티 나요. 솔직하게 말해도 돼요.(gwaenchaneun cheokhaji maseyo. himdeun geo da ti nayo. soljikage malhaedo dwaeyo, Don't pretend to be okay. It's obvious you're struggling. You can speak honestly.)
- Making Social Observations: You'll frequently hear this pattern when people comment on others' behavior, especially when they suspect ulterior motives or insincerity. It's a tool for analyzing and critiquing perceived social performances.
그는 항상 똑똑한 척해요. 실제로는 그렇게 똑똑하지 않은데.(geuneun hangsang ttokttokhan cheokhaeyo. siljeroeoneun geureoke ttokttokhaji anneunde, He always pretends to be smart. Even though he's not actually that smart.)돈이 많은 사람들은 겸손한 척하는 경우가 많아요. 진짜 겸손한지는 모르겠어요.(doni maneun saramdeureun gyeomsonhan cheokhaneun gyeonguga manayo. jinjja gyeomsonhanjineun moreugesseoyo, People with a lot of money often pretend to be humble. I don't know if they're truly humble.)
Common Mistakes
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다. Being aware of these common errors and understanding the underlying grammatical principles will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in applying this pattern.- 1Incorrect Determiner with Adjectives: A very frequent mistake is applying the verb determiner
-는to adjectives. This is incorrect because adjectives describe a state or quality, and their present tense determiner form is-(으)ㄴ, not-는. Verbs describe an action, taking-는.
- Incorrect: ✗
예쁘는 척하다(yeppeuneun cheokhada) - Correct: ✓
예쁜 척하다(yeppeun cheokhada, to pretend to be pretty) -예쁘다is an adjective, hence예쁜. - Incorrect: ✗
바쁘는 척하다(bappeuneun cheokhada) - Correct: ✓
바쁜 척하다(bappeun cheokhada, to pretend to be busy) -바쁘다is an adjective, hence바쁜. - Explanation: The particle
-는specifically indicates an ongoing action or a general characteristic derived from a verb's action. This conflicts with the static, descriptive nature of most adjectives. Adjectives require the descriptive-(으)ㄴform to modify a noun (like척), describing the state of pretense. Remember that있다/없다are exceptions that act like verbs in this regard, taking-는.
- 1Confusing Verb Tenses for the Pretended Action: The choice between
-는 척하다(present tense) and-(으)ㄴ 척하다(past tense) with verbs indicates different moments for the feigned action itself. Misunderstanding this distinction leads to inaccurate communication.
V-는 척하다implies pretending to be currently performing an action (i.e., the action was ongoing at the time of pretense).- Example:
나는 공부하는 척했어요.(naneun gongbuhaneun cheokhaesseoyo, I pretended to be studying.) This means you acted like you were in the middle of studying at some point in the past, even if you weren't actually doing it. V-(으)ㄴ 척하다implies pretending to have completed an action in the past (i.e., the action was already finished at the time of pretense).- Example:
나는 공부한 척했어요.(naneun gongbuhan cheokhaesseoyo, I pretended to have studied.) This means you acted as if your studying was already finished, perhaps to avoid further demands. - Mistake: Using
공부한 척했어요when you mean you pretended to be in the process of studying. Always carefully consider whether the feigned action is ongoing or completed when choosing the determiner.
- 1Misunderstanding
ㄹIrregular Verbs: For verbs whose stems end inㄹ(e.g.,살다salda, to live;만들다mandeulda, to make;알다alda, to know), theㄹoften drops when followed by certain initial consonants (ㄴ,ㅂ,ㅅ). This rule applies specifically to the-(으)ㄴdeterminer form for past tense verbs. However, for the present tense-는, theㄹdoes not drop.
- Correct (Present):
만드는 척하다(mandeuneun cheokhada, to pretend to make/be making) - theㄹstays for-는. - Correct (Past):
만든 척하다(mandeun cheokhada, to pretend to have made) - theㄹdrops for-ㄴ. - Mistake: ✗
만들은 척하다(mandeureun cheokhada) or ✗만들ㄴ 척하다(mandeuln cheokhada). These are common overgeneralizations or misapplications of theㄹirregular rule.
- 1Overlapping with
-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다: While both patterns relate to knowledge or ability, their core meanings are distinct. Confusing them can lead to miscommunication about intent.
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다(pretend to know/be able): Focuses on the act of feigning knowledge or ability to others. The emphasis is on deception.운전할 줄 모르는데 아는 척했어요.(unjeonhal jul moreuneunde aneun cheokhaesseoyo, I don't know how to drive, but I pretended to know.) The deception is central here; the speaker is intentionally misleading.-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다/모르다(know/don't know how to): Focuses on the actual possession or lack of an ability or skill. This is a factual statement about capability.운전할 줄 알아요.(unjeonhal jul arayo, I know how to drive.) This is a statement of factual ability, with no implication of pretense.- Mistake: Using
아는 척하다when you simply want to state a lack of skill without implying pretense. For example, if a child says they don't know how to tie shoes (신발 끈 맬 줄 몰라요), they are stating a fact, not pretending. Using아는 척하다in such a context would suggest they are faking their ignorance.
- 1Confusing with
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다or-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다: These expressions convey different modalities and should not be interchanged with척하다.
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다(it seems like/it looks like): Expresses speculation or likelihood based on observation, without implying intentional deception. It describes what appears to be true.-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다(there's no way that/it's impossible that): Expresses certainty that something is impossible or highly improbable.척하다involves an intentional action of faking or creating a false appearance. The subject is actively performing a deceptive act.- Mistake: Using
척하다when you merely want to express a guess, an observation, or an impossibility. For example, if someone genuinely looks busy but isn't faking it, you'd use바쁜 것 같아요(bappeun geot gatayo, it seems like they're busy) to express your observation. Using바쁜 척해요(bappeun cheokhaeyo, they pretend to be busy) would imply you suspect they are intentionally deceiving others about their workload.
Real Conversations
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 is a natural and frequently used expression in Korean, reflecting the subtleties of social interaction and human behavior. Mastering its use in various contexts will make your Korean sound more authentic. Below are examples demonstrating its use in different social scenarios and politeness levels.
Example 1
A
B
A
- Analysis: Here, 자는 척해 (the informal 해체 form of 자는 척하다) is used by A to directly call out B's obvious pretense to avoid a chore. It's direct, slightly accusatory, and common among close friends or family.
Example 2
팀장님
김 대리
팀장님
- Analysis: 괜찮은 척했어요 (the polite 해요체 form of 괜찮은 척하다) is used by Kim Daeri to admit to feigning well-being despite having had a difficult time. This reflects a common social expectation in professional Korean settings to maintain a composed appearance, often to demonstrate resilience or avoid burdening others.
Example 3
친구1
친구2
- Analysis: 아는 척하네 (casual 해체 with an exclamatory ending) expresses sarcasm and annoyance at someone who constantly feigns extensive knowledge. The nuance here is critical: it's not just that the person knows a lot, but that they act like they know a lot when their actual knowledge is perceived as superficial by the speakers.
Example 4
엄마
민지
- Analysis: 자는 척하는 중 (casual, an abbreviated form of 자는 척하는 중이에요) highlights the child's playful, deliberate act of feigning sleep during a game. This shows the pattern's use in lighthearted and imaginative contexts, where the pretense is part of the fun.
Quick FAQ
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 always negative, implying deception?슬프지 않았는데 슬픈 척했어요. (seulpeuji ananneunde seulpeun cheokhaesseoyo, I wasn't sad, but I pretended to be sad.) This reflects an internal feeling versus an external display.-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 and -는/ㄴ/은 체하다?척하다 is considerably more common in everyday, colloquial Korean and generally sounds more natural in casual conversation. 체하다 can sound slightly more formal, literary, or sometimes even a bit old-fashioned.척하다 is almost always preferred. If you are writing a formal report or a piece of literature, 체하다 might appear more often, but for daily communication, stick with 척하다.-(으)ㄴ/는 듯이?-는/ㄴ/은 척하다: Focuses on intentional pretense or deliberate deception. The subject is actively performing a fake action or displaying a fake state with the explicit goal of misleading others or creating a false impression.그는 부자인 척해요.(geuneun bujain cheokhaeyo, He pretends to be rich.) - This implies he is actively making others believe he is rich, though he isn't, and the speaker knows this.-(으)ㄴ/는 듯이: Focuses on appearance or manner, describing how something looks or how an action is performed, often without implying intentional deception. It means "as if," "as though," or "like," and describes an observation about how something seems.그는 부자인 듯이 행동해요.(geuneun bujain deusi haengdonghaeyo, He acts as if he is rich.) - His actions give the impression of wealth, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's actively trying to deceive, or that the speaker knows he isn't rich. It's more about an outward observation of behavior. If someone is genuinely acting extravagantly (perhaps they just are that way),듯하다would be appropriate. If they are specifically trying to fool others,척하다is more suitable.
-는/ㄴ/은 척하다 with the future tense?척하다. Instead, you conjugate the 하다 part of 척하다 into the future tense. This is because 척하다 describes the act of doing the pretense, and it is this act that occurs in the future.모르는 척할 거예요. (moreuneun cheokhal geoyeyo). This means "I will perform the pretense of not knowing." The pretended state (모르다, not knowing) is expressed in the present form -는, while the act of pretending itself (하다) is in the future tense (할 거예요). If the intended action that is being pretended is in the future, more complex or rephrased sentences are needed, as directly combining -(으)ㄹ 척하다 is generally unnatural.하다 part of 척하다 conjugates just like any other verb, allowing you to adapt the politeness level to suit your conversational context:- Informal (해체: haeche):
척해(cheokhae) - Polite Casual (해요체: haeyoche):
척해요(cheokhaeyo) - Formal Polite (합니다체: hamnidache):
척합니다(cheokhamnida)
모르는 척해요 (polite casual, with friends or family) versus 모르는 척합니다 (formal polite, in a professional or public setting).Conjugation Table
| Tense | Verb Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
Action Verb
|
-는 척하다
|
먹는 척하다
|
|
Past
|
Action Verb
|
-은/ㄴ 척하다
|
먹은 척하다
|
|
State
|
Adjective
|
-은/ㄴ 척하다
|
예쁜 척하다
|
Meanings
This pattern indicates that the subject is pretending to perform an action or be in a state that is not actually true.
Action simulation
Pretending to do an action.
“공부하는 척하지 마세요.”
“아픈 척하다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
V-는 척하다
|
공부하는 척하다
|
|
Past
|
V-은/ㄴ 척하다
|
공부한 척하다
|
|
Adjective
|
Adj-은/ㄴ 척하다
|
바쁜 척하다
|
|
Negative
|
V-지 않는 척하다
|
안 먹는 척하다
|
|
Question
|
V-는 척해요?
|
자는 척해요?
|
|
Past Negative
|
V-지 않은 척하다
|
안 먹은 척하다
|
Formality Spectrum
바쁜 척하십니다. (Work/Social)
바쁜 척해요. (Work/Social)
바쁜 척해. (Work/Social)
바쁜 척하네. (Work/Social)
The 척하다 Universe
Actions
- 먹는 척 pretend to eat
States
- 바쁜 척 pretend to be busy
Examples by Level
먹는 척해요.
I am pretending to eat.
자는 척해요.
I am pretending to sleep.
웃는 척해요.
I am pretending to laugh.
보는 척해요.
I am pretending to look.
공부한 척했어요.
I pretended to study.
바쁜 척하지 마세요.
Don't pretend to be busy.
아픈 척했어요.
I pretended to be sick.
모르는 척했어요.
I pretended not to know.
그는 부자인 척해요.
He pretends to be rich.
들은 척도 안 해요.
He doesn't even pretend to listen.
친한 척하지 마.
Don't pretend to be close to me.
기쁜 척 연기했어요.
I acted as if I were happy.
그녀는 아무 일도 없는 척 행동했다.
She acted as if nothing had happened.
전문가인 척하는 사람들을 조심하세요.
Beware of people pretending to be experts.
그는 화가 난 척하며 나갔다.
He left, pretending to be angry.
관심 있는 척하는 것이 중요하다.
It is important to pretend to be interested.
그는 도덕적인 척하며 남을 비판했다.
He criticized others while pretending to be moral.
성공한 척하는 것은 피로한 일이다.
Pretending to be successful is exhausting.
그는 사실을 아는 척하며 말을 돌렸다.
He changed the subject, pretending to know the facts.
그녀는 슬픔을 감추려 강한 척했다.
She pretended to be strong to hide her sadness.
그는 지식인인 척하며 대중을 기만했다.
He deceived the public by pretending to be an intellectual.
그의 태도는 마치 성자인 척하는 듯했다.
His attitude seemed as if he were pretending to be a saint.
그는 자신의 무지를 감추기 위해 아는 척했다.
He pretended to know in order to hide his ignorance.
그는 평온한 척하며 폭풍을 견뎌냈다.
He endured the storm while pretending to be calm.
Easily Confused
Both express 'as if'.
Both mean to pretend.
Both involve untruths.
Common Mistakes
먹척해요
먹는 척해요
공부척해요
공부하는 척해요
예쁘척해요
예쁜 척해요
자척해요
자는 척해요
공부한 척해요
공부하는 척해요 (if present)
바쁜 척했다
바쁜 척했다
아픈 척했다
아픈 척했다
모르는 척했다
모르는 척했다
친한 척했다
친한 척했다
부자인 척했다
부자인 척했다
도덕적인 척했다
도덕적인 척했다
성공한 척했다
성공한 척했다
아는 척했다
아는 척했다
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___ 척했어요.
___ 척하지 마세요.
그는 ___ 척하며 나갔어요.
___ 척하는 것은 나빠요.
Real World Usage
행복한 척하는 사진.
바쁜 척하지 마~
전문가인 척할 필요는 없습니다.
현지인인 척해 봤어요.
맛있는 척하는 음식.
모르는 척하지 마세요.
Spacing matters
Tense check
Adjective usage
Social irony
Smart Tips
Use 척하다 to add irony.
Use it to soften the blow.
Use it to describe social facades.
Use it for fun.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'k' sound in 척 carries over if the next word starts with a vowel.
Accusatory
바쁜 척하지 마! ↗
Used when calling someone out.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Chuck' (척) the actor who is always faking it.
Visual Association
Imagine a person wearing a mask that says 'Real' while they are actually doing something else.
Rhyme
When you want to fake the part, add 척하다 to the heart.
Story
Min-su didn't want to clean. He saw his mom coming. He quickly grabbed a book and started pretending to read. He was 'reading-pretending' (읽는 척했다).
Word Web
Challenge
Spend 5 minutes today pretending to be a professional in a field you know nothing about using this grammar.
Cultural Notes
Pretending to be busy is a common survival tactic.
Pretending to know an answer is often seen as 'showing off'.
Pretending to be close is often used to get favors.
Derived from the noun 척 (pretense) and 하다 (to do).
Conversation Starters
누가 가장 아는 척을 많이 해요?
바쁜 척해 본 적 있어요?
아픈 척해서 학교에 안 간 적 있어요?
친한 척하는 사람을 좋아해요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
그는 ___ 척했어요.
그녀는 ___ 척해요.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 먹 척해요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I pretended to sleep.
Answer starts with: 자는 ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
그는 / 화가 난 / 척했다
___ 척하지 마세요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises그는 ___ 척했어요.
그녀는 ___ 척해요.
Find and fix the mistake:
그는 먹 척해요.
척 / 마 / 바쁜 / 하지
I pretended to sleep.
아는 척
그는 / 화가 난 / 척했다
___ 척하지 마세요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises수업이 지루해서 ___ 척했어요.
저는 바쁘는 척하느라 전화를 못 받았어요.
I pretended to be a tourist and asked for directions.
Match the pairs.
척했어요 / 안 / 그는 / 아픈
Choose the most natural sounding sentence.
어제 숙제를 다 ___ 척했는데, 선생님이 아셨어요.
그 가수는 가수 아닌 척하고 거리를 걸어 다녔어요.
Translate: Stop pretending to be busy!
Which sentence means 'I pretended to receive the call'?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, use -인 척하다 (e.g., 왕인 척하다).
It can be, depending on the context.
Yes, '저는 자는 척했어요'.
체하다 is more formal.
Yes, '자는 척할 거예요'.
척 is a bound noun.
Yes, '안 먹는 척해요'.
Very common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ふりをする
Grammar is almost identical.
fingir
Korean uses a noun-based construction.
so tun als ob
Korean is more concise.
faire semblant de
Korean is a suffix-based pattern.
假装
Korean requires conjugation.
يتظاهر
Korean is more flexible with adjectives.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Describing Nouns with Verbs (는)
Overview In Korean grammar, expressing complex ideas often involves building descriptive phrases that modify nouns. One...
Describing the Past: Noun Modifiers (ㄴ/은)
Overview Korean sentence structure often places descriptive elements before the noun they modify. The grammatical patter...
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Related Grammar Rules
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Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)
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To the Absolute Max: (-ㄹ/을 대로)
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Just/Only: Emphatic Limitation (-ㄹ/을 뿐이다)
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Logically Likely: -ㄹ/을 법하다
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