Shira wo Kiru (しらを切る - Playing Innocent)

Sep 19, 2018 19:49
Shira wo Kiru

Have you ever pretended you don't know something, even though you know it?

Such an action is referred to as 'shira wo kiru' (しらを切る) in Japanese.

There are two theories about the etymology of 'shira' (しら); one is that it is short for 'shiranu' (知らぬ - literally "don't know"), and the other is that it comes from 'shira' (白 - literally "white"), which means "pure" or "serious."

In addition, 'kiru' (切る) usually means "to cut," but here it means "to take a noticeable action or attitude."
しらを切る

何かを知っているのに、知らないふりをしたことはありますか?

そのような行動をとることを、日本語で「しらを切る」と言います。

「しら」は「知らぬ」の略という説と、「純粋」「真面目」を意味する「しら(白)」からきているという説があります。

「切る」は通常 "to cut" を意味しますが、ここでは「際立った行動や態度をとる」ことを意味します。
No. 1 Rick M's correction
  • Shira wo Kiru (しらを切る - Playing Innocent)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Shira wo Kiru
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Have you ever pretended you don't know something, even though you know it?
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Such an action is referred to as 'shira wo kiru' (しらを切る) in Japanese.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • There are two theories about the etymology of 'shira' (しら); one is that it is short for 'shiranu' (知らぬ - literally "don't know"), and the other is that it comes from 'shira' (白 - literally "white"), which means "pure" or "serious."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In addition, 'kiru' (切る) usually means "to cut," but here it means "to take a noticeable action or attitude."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Your entry is perfect! A very interesting look into the etymology of a common phrase!
Toru
Thank you so much for reading my post!
I'm flattered. (^^)
Rick M
You're very welcome! Perhaps the only thing to be careful of when using quotation marks is: "XXX". rather than "XXX." (note where the '.' is in relation to the "")
No. 2 Chris's correction
  • Shira wo Kiru
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Have you ever pretended you don't know something, even though you know it?
  • Have you ever pretended you don't know something, even though you do?
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction!
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