-(으)ㄴ/는 척하다 means "pretend to" or "act as if" - feigning an action or state that is not true.
Faking actions - 자는 척하다 (pretend to sleep)
False appearances - 모르는 척하다 (pretend not to know)
Acting - 아픈 척하다 (pretend to be sick)
I pretended not to see that person.
척 means "pretense." Often used with 하다 or 시치미를 떼다 (play innocent).
Form depends on verb type
- Action verb present: -는 척 (먹는 척)
- Action verb past: -(으)ㄴ 척 (먹은 척)
- Descriptive: -(으)ㄴ 척 (예쁜 척)
- Noun: 인 척 (학생인 척)
Common expressions
- 모르는 척 (pretend not to know)
- 안 본 척 (pretend not to see)
- 못 들은 척 (pretend not to hear)
Negative connotation usually - Implies deception
Do not pretend to be asleep
Many people pretend to be rich.
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