làm bộ

Friendly

The Vietnamese phrase "làm bộ" can be translated into English as "to pretend" or "to feign." It is often used when someone is acting in a way that is not genuine, or when they are putting on a facade.

Basic Meaning:

• Làm bộ means to act or behave in a way that is not sincere. It can imply that someone is trying to create a false impression or show off.

Usage Instructions:

You can use "làm bộ" in various contexts, especially when discussing someone's behavior that seems fake or exaggerated. It's commonly used in everyday conversations as well as in writing.

Examples:

1. In a Sentence:

   • "Khi anh ấy nói rằng không thích món ăn này, nhưng lại ăn hết, thì anh ấy chỉ làm bộ thôi."
   • (When he says he doesn't like this dish but finishes it, he's just pretending.)

2. Common Phrase:

   • "Ăn thì ăn ngay, đừng làm bộ."
   • (If you feel like eating, just eat. Don't pretend.)

Advanced Usage:

• Làm bộ làm tịch: This phrase means to give oneself airs or to act in a pretentious manner. It suggests that someone is trying to appear more important or sophisticated than they really are.
  • Example: "Cô ấy luôn làm bộ làm tịch khi gặp người mới."
  • (She always acts pretentious when meeting new people.)

Word Variants:

• Làm giả: This means "to fake" or "to create something that is not real."
• Giả bộ: This is another way to say "to pretend," similar in meaning to "làm bộ."

Different Meanings:

While "làm bộ" generally refers to pretending or feigning, it can also imply that someone is being disingenuous in their feelings or actions. However, it's primarily focused on the act of simulation rather than the underlying emotions.

Synonyms:

• Giả vờ: This means "to pretend" or "to act as if."
• Làm ra vẻ: This means "to show off" or "to put on a show."

Conclusion:

"Làm bộ" is a versatile phrase used to describe insincerity or pretense in Vietnamese. It captures the essence of someone not being genuine and can be applied in various social contexts.

Academic

1. Demur insincerely
   • Ăn thì ăn ngay, đừng làm bộ
     Don't demur insincerely, if you feel like eating, just eat
2. Give onself airs.
3. (địa phương)Feign, simulate, pretend
   • Làm bộ làm tịch
     To give oneself airs and graces