Inklingo

Hacerse el chancho rengo

/ah-SER-seh el CHAN-choh REN-goh/

To pretend to be unaware, ignorant, or unable to do something, usually to avoid work or responsibility.

Level:B2Register:InformalCommon:★★★☆☆

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:
"To make oneself the lame pig."
What It Really Means:
To pretend to be unaware, ignorant, or unable to do something, usually to avoid work or responsibility.
English Equivalents:
To play dumbTo feign ignoranceTo play the foolTo turn a blind eye

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal
A literal, humorous depiction of a pig with a cane, pretending to have a limp.

Literally, this means 'to make oneself the lame pig'.

✨ Figurative
The actual meaning, showing a person pretending not to hear a request for help.

In practice, it means to play dumb to get out of doing something.

Key Words in This Idiom:

hacerse
hacerse
to become
→
chanchorengo

📝 In Action

Le pedí que me ayudara con las cajas, pero se hizo el chancho rengo y siguió mirando su teléfono.

B2

I asked him to help me with the boxes, but he played dumb and kept looking at his phone.

No te hagas el chancho rengo, sé perfectamente que escuchaste cuando te llamé para lavar los platos.

B2

Don't play dumb, I know perfectly well you heard me when I called you to wash the dishes.

📜 Origin Story

This colorful expression comes from rural life. In the past, a farmer wouldn't choose a lame or sick pig ('un chancho rengo') for hard work or for market. The story goes that a clever pig might fake a limp to avoid an unpleasant fate. So, 'making yourself the lame pig' became a metaphor for pretending to be incapable to get out of an undesirable task.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to Use It

Use this when you're pretty sure someone is faking it. It’s perfect for calling out a friend or family member who is obviously ignoring a request for help. It has a slightly accusatory but very informal and common tone.

Focus on 'Hacerse'

The key verb here is 'hacerse' (to make oneself). This emphasizes that the action is a deliberate pretense. The person is actively playing the part of the 'lame pig', not genuinely unaware.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Not for Actual Ignorance

Mistake: "Using this phrase for someone who genuinely doesn't know something or is truly unable to help."

Correction: This idiom is only for when you suspect someone is pretending. If someone is truly ignorant, you would simply say 'no sabe' (he/she doesn't know) or 'no puede' (he/she can't).

🌎 Where It's Used

🇦🇷

Argentina

Extremely common and widely used in everyday conversation.

🇨🇱

Chile

Very common and instantly recognizable.

🇵🇪

Peru

Also used and well understood.

🇪🇸

Spain

Not used. A speaker from Spain would likely not understand this idiom. They might use 'hacerse el sueco' or 'hacerse el loco' to convey a similar meaning.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️ Similar Meanings

hacerse el sueco→

To play dumb, to feign ignorance (common in Spain).

hacerse el loco

To play the fool, pretend not to notice.

⇆ Opposite Meanings

dar la cara

To face the music, to take responsibility.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Hacerse el chancho rengo

Question 1 of 1

If your friend says 'Mi hermano se hizo el chancho rengo', what did his brother do?

🏷️ Tags

AnimalsLies & DeceptionLazinessLatin America

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chancho' a normal word for pig?

Yes, in many parts of Latin America (especially South America), 'chancho' is the most common informal word for pig, used like 'cerdo' or 'puerco'. It's perfectly natural in this idiom.

Can I use this in a formal or professional setting?

It's best to avoid it. This is a very informal, colloquial expression used with friends, family, or in casual situations. In a professional context, you would use more direct language like 'ignoró mi solicitud' (he ignored my request).