ごっこ

Japanese

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ɡo̞k̚ko̞]

Suffix

ごっこ • (-gokko) 

1. (archaic) alternately, doing the same action in turns
   • 1781 Karai Senryū, Senryū hyō mankuawase [Comprehensive criticism of verse]. Quoted in 国語大辞典（新装版） [Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition] (1988, in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan.

     しなの迄(まで)かわりごっこにおぶっさり

     Shinano made kawari-gokko ni obussari

     until we reach Shinano we take turns riding on each other’s back

2. pretend-, make-believe-

   狩(か)りごっこ ― kari-gokko ― mock hunting

   探(たん)偵(てい)ごっこをする ― tantei-gokko o suru ― to play detective

Usage notes

The derivational suffix affixes to a noun.

Derived terms

• 鼬(いたち)ごっこ (itachigokko)
• 鬼(おに)ごっこ (onigokko, “tag”, a children’s game, literally “play-ogre”)