GrammarJLPT N1~ぶる (〜buru)

~ぶる (〜buru)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Used when someone is acting or pretending to be something they are not (often a negative connotation).

Formation

Noun / (Adjective stem) + ぶる

Detailed Explanation

The ~ぶる grammar point is used when someone pretends or acts like something they aren't. It often has a negative nuance, suggesting insincerity or putting on airs. Common usage includes nouns or descriptive words before ぶる (e.g., 学者ぶる, 偉そうぶる, etc.).

Examples

彼はあたかも知っているかのように学者ぶる。

Kare wa atakamo shitteiru ka no you ni gakusha buru.

He acts like a scholar, as if he knows everything.

女優ぶるのはやめて、自分自身でいろ。

Joyu buru no wa yamete, jibun jishin de iro.

Stop acting like you’re an actress and just be yourself.

彼女は常にお嬢様ぶっている。

Kanojo wa tsune ni ojou-sama butte iru.

She’s always putting on the airs of a refined lady.

私がいじめられていると無邪気ぶる彼女を見て、怒りがこみ上げた。

Watashi ga ijimerarete iru to mujaki buru kanojo o mite, ikari ga komiageta.

Seeing her act innocent while I was being bullied made my anger surge.

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.