家にいないふりをする
彼女は忙しいから家にいないふりをしている。
She’s pretending not to be at home because she’s busy.
to act as if one is not present at home, typically to avoid someone or something
彼が来るのが嫌で、家にいないふりをした。
I pretended not to be at home because I didn’t want him to come.
母は電話に出たくなくて、家にいないふりをしていた。
Mom pretended not to be at home because she didn’t want to answer the phone.
Often used in social contexts to avoid unwanted visitors, calls, or interactions.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Natural Usage
Use this phrase when you want to politely avoid someone without outright saying you’re not home. It’s softer than saying 家にいません (I’m not at home).
Usage Notes
Common in everyday speech, especially in informal or conversational Japanese. The phrase combines 家 (home), に (at), いない (not being), ふり (pretend), and をする (to do). It reflects a cultural tendency to avoid direct confrontation or unwanted interactions.