Definition

1. Verb:
   • To feign, to pretend: To deliberately act in a way that is not genuine, typically to hide one's true knowledge, feelings, intentions, or condition. It often implies a clumsy, obvious, or insincere pretense.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó vờ vịt như không biết gì cả. (He pretended as if he knew nothing at all.)
  • Đừng có vờ vịt ngạc nhiên nữa, tôi biết cậu đã nghe tin rồi. (Stop feigning surprise; I know you've already heard the news.)
  • Cô ấy vờ vịt bị ốm để không phải đi học. (She pretended to be sick to avoid going to school.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "vờ vịt" carries a slightly negative or dismissive connotation. It suggests the act of pretending is transparent, unconvincing, or done for a dubious purpose.
• It is more colloquial and expressive than the simpler verb "vờ" or "giả vờ," emphasizing the fakeness of the act.

Variants and Related Words

• Vờ (v): To pretend, to feign. A shorter, more neutral form.
  • Nó vờ đang đọc sách. (He pretended to be reading a book.)
• Giả vờ (v): To pretend, to make believe. Similar in meaning but can be used in a wider range of contexts.
  • Trẻ con thích giả vờ làm siêu anh hùng. (Children like to pretend to be superheroes.)

Synonyms

• Feign: To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury.
• Pretend: To behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not.
• Sham: A false display; to falsely present something.

Related Idioms

• Vờ vịt khóc, vờ vịt cười: To pretend to cry, to pretend to laugh. Describes someone who is being theatrically insincere with their emotions.
  • Diễn viên mới đó chỉ toàn vờ vịt khóc, vờ vịt cười, chẳng có cảm xúc thật. (That new actor just pretends to cry and laugh, with no real emotion.)

verb

1. to feign, to pretend