Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fingido | /finˈxido/ | |
| hacerse pasar de | /aθeɾse pasaɾ de/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾse pasaɾ de/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
verb |
| disfrazarse de | /disfɾaθaɾse de/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /disfɾasaɾse de/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
verb |
The adjective fingido is used to describe something that is counterfeit, fake or not genuine. If you are talking about a person being bogus in the sense of impersonating someone else, use the verb phrase hacerse pasar por.
Which one should you use?
While fingido can mean bogus in the sense of something simulated or feigned (like a fake smile), it is less common for physical counterfeit goods than words like falso or falsificado. The verb phrase hacerse pasar por is used when a person is 'bogus' in the sense of impersonating someone else, whereas fingido describes the quality of an object or an emotion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective fingido must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to fingida for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/finˈxido/
Did you know?
- The word fingido shares a common ancestor with the English word 'feign', as both stem from the same Latin root relating to shaping or molding.
- While fingido describes a fake emotion, Spanish speakers use the word falso for a 'bogus' person who is untrustworthy or two-faced.
- If you are describing a 'bogus' person in a legal context, you would likely use suplantar instead of hacerse pasar por, which is much more casual.
Examples in context
- La información que nos proporcionaron resultó ser falsa.The information they provided turned out to be bogus.
- Este producto es un fraude, una versión falsa de lo que prometía.This product is a fraud, a bogus version of what it promised.
- No debemos tolerar documentos falsos en nuestro negocio.We should not tolerate bogus documents in our business.
- Ese vendedor me vendió una remera truchaThat seller sold me a bogus T-shirt.
- Él mostró un fingido entusiasmo por la noticia.He showed a fake enthusiasm for the news.
- No me gusta su afecto fingido.I do not like his fake affection.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a person they recently met.
- Elena¿Te gustó su actitud?Did you like his attitude?
- DanielNo, sentí que todo era fingido.No, I felt that everything was fake.
- ElenaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
- DanielÉl no es una persona sincera.He is not a sincere person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bogus” translations and entries fingido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, fingido, pasar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
