Faire semblant

Faire semblant
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French Expression

Meaning to pretend
Literally to make seeming
Register normal
Pronunciation French sound files [fehr sa(n) bl(a)]
IPA   [fɛʀ sã blã]

Usage notes: The French phrase faire semblant means "to pretend":

Par exemple…

Les enfants adore faire semblant.   Kids love pretending.
Il n’est pas vraiment fâché, il fait semblant.   He’s not really angry, he’s pretending.

Variation: jouer à faire semblant – to pretend, to play make-believe

Faire semblant is often followed by de + infinitive:

Par exemple…

Les enfants font semblant de cuisiner.   The kids are pretending to cook.
Il fait semblant d’être fâché.   He’s pretending to be angry.

 The French verb prétendre is a faux ami: it means “to claim (to be)” not “to pretend.”

 Related lessons

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Ils font semblant

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