Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Kanji Vocab
    3. 惚ける

    惚ける

    惚とぼけ​る​

    to play dumb

    KMT9CoreVerb, IntransitiveEmotions & PsychologyKanji Vocab15 strokes

    恍ける

    とぼける

    Verb, Intransitive

    1.
    to play dumb, to feign ignorance, to play innocent, to have a blank facial expression
    word usually written using kana alone
    2.
    to play the fool
    word usually written using kana alone
    3.
    to be in one's dotage
    word usually written using kana aloneobsolete term

    Stroke 0 / 15

    Speed1.0x

    彼かれは質しつ問もんに答こたえるのを惚とぼけてごまかした。

    He feigned ignorance to avoid answering the question.

    KMT8Emotions & PsychologyDaily Life
    悪わるいことをしたのに、彼かれは何なにも知しらないと惚とぼけている。

    Even though he did something wrong, he's playing dumb as if he knows nothing.

    KMT9Emotions & PsychologyDaily Life
    彼かの女じょは怒いかっているのに、平へい気きな顔かおで惚とぼけていた。

    Even though she was angry, she feigned ignorance with a calm face.

    KMT9Emotions & PsychologyDaily Life
    彼かれはいつも冗じょう談だんを言いって、場ばを和なごませるために惚とぼけるのが得とく意いだ。

    He is good at playing the fool to lighten the mood by telling jokes.

    KMT9Emotions & PsychologyDaily Life
    政せい治じ家かが都つ合ごうの悪わるい事じ実じつを惚とぼけて隠いん蔽ぺいしようとするのは、よくあることだ。

    It's common for politicians to feign ignorance and try to conceal inconvenient truths.

    KMT10Politics & LawEmotions & Psychology

    Characters that make up this word

    惚
    ほけ.る・ぼ.ける・ほ.れる…(1)
    fall in love with・admire・grow senile
    Kanji
    け
    ke
    Kana
    る
    ru
    Kana
    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    Used in vocabulary

    • 惚
    • け
    • る

    Explore more

    Kanji Vocab dictionary›Browse all entries›