How to say "bluff" in Japanese

• 断崖だんがいCommon
  nounCovers the landscape sense of 'bluff': a steep, high cliff or precipice, typically rising above the sea or a river. It has no connection to deception or pretending.
  断崖だんがいのてっぺんに古ふるい城しろが立たっている。↗

  An old castle stands on top of the cliff.
• 強がりつよがりCommon
  nounA noun for the deception sense: a show of courage, pretending to be braver or stronger than one really is, as when someone admits their toughness was all bluff.
• 力むりきむCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for bluffing: to put on a bold front or make a show of strength, even to swagger. Use it when someone bluffs by acting tougher than they really are.

Use 断崖 only for the landform sense of bluff, a steep cliff; for the deception sense, 「強がり」 is the noun for a show of courage and 「力む」 the verb for putting on a bold front.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 断崖だんがいprecipice
• 強がりつよがりshow of courage
• はったりbluff
• ブラフbluff
• 虚勢きょせいbluff
• 擬勢ぎせいbluff
• 虚勢を張るきょせいをはるto bluff
• ダウトI doubt it (card game)
• こけおどしempty threat
• 強がるつよがるto pretend to be tough
• 突っ張るつっぱるto act tough
• 力むりきむto put on a bold front