Table of Contents
Definition
猫を被る (ねこをかぶる, neko wo kaburu) is a Japanese idiom that literally means “put on a cat”. It figuratively indicates the act of putting up a façade and pretending to be nicer than usual (i.e. hide one’s true colours). It alludes to the two-faced character of a cat, which is usually very cute but can be ferocious at times.
One of the most common examples of the act of “putting on a cat” is when a chatty person pretends to be coy and quiet around strangers. Another example is when one dates someone and acts kind and cool (and shows his/her true colours later). This word is often used to describe ぶりっこ (burikko), i.e. a girl who acts cute and coy around guys.
Example Sentences
Ex1
いつもはかなりおしゃべりだけど、今日は猫を被って大人しくしていた
Usually, I am very talkative, but today I stayed quiet, hiding my real personality.
Ex2
あの子、いつもは悪口ばっか言っているのに彼氏の前では猫かぶっているよね。
She is always talking a lot of sh*t, but when she is with her boyfriend, she pretends to be a nice person.
See also
For cat/idiom lovers
Synonyms and Related Words
Synonyms: 良い子ぶる (pretend to be a good person; act obsequiously)
Synonyms in English: hide one’s true colours, hide oneself, put up a façade
Related words and phrases: 猫 (cat), 被る (wear, put on)
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