¿me estás engañando?
The English phrase "are you cheating on me?" is translated into Spanish as ¿me estás engañando?
This phrase is a question directed at a romantic partner to ask if they are involved in a secret relationship with someone else. The verb engañar is used here to mean cheating in a romantic sense, though it is also the general verb for lying, tricking or deceiving someone in any context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me estás engañando literally translates to "you are deceiving me", where engañar is the verb for deceiving or tricking.
Which one should you use?
While ¿me estás engañando? uses the progressive form, you can also use ¿Me eres infiel? to ask "Are you being unfaithful to me?", which utilizes the adjective infiel.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, it is common to use the simple present tense ¿Me engañas? instead of the progressive form ¿Me estás engañando? to ask the same question.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if you suspect someone is cheating, you might hear the phrase poner los cuernos, which literally means 'to put the horns on'.
- The verb engañar is the same word used in Spanish to describe a magic trick or a sleight of hand.
- While engañar is used for romantic betrayal, a person cheating at a card game or sport is described using the phrase hacer trampa.
Examples in context
- Dime la verdad, ¿me estás engañando?Tell me the truth, are you cheating on me?
- Siento que algo pasa, ¿me estás engañando?I feel like something is happening, are you cheating on me?
Example conversation
María confronts Mateo about his suspicious behavior at home.
- MaríaHe visto mensajes sospechosos, ¿me estás engañando?I've seen suspicious messages, are you cheating on me?
- MateoNo, María, no es lo que parece.No, María, it is not what it looks like.
- María¡No me mientas más!Don't lie to me anymore!
- MateoTe juro que no hay nadie más.I swear to you there is no one else.
