tromper
/tʁɔ̃.pe/
The English phrase 'cheating' can be translated into French as tromper.
In French, tromper is specifically used to mean being unfaithful to a romantic partner. While it can generally refer to acts of deception, fraud or imposture, to express the concept of betraying trust, you might use the phrase Abuser de la confiance. If you are referring to cheating in the context of a card game, the term La tricherie is used.
Meaning: act of deception, fraud, trickery, imposture, or imposition (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between tromper and tricher. Use tromper when referring to romantic infidelity. Use tricher when you mean cheating in the context of games, sports or academic exams.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tromper is a transitive verb. This means you use it directly with the person being cheated on. You do not need a preposition like 'on' between the verb and the object. For example, the structure is tromper quelqu'un.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tʁɔ̃.pe/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word tromper comes from the Old French word for 'trumpet'. It originally meant to lead someone astray or delude them by playing a trumpet.
- The expression trompe-l'œil literally means 'deceive the eye'. It refers to a painting technique that creates a realistic 3D optical illusion.
- The word tromper can be used reflexively as se tromper to mean 'to be mistaken' or 'to make an error', which is quite different from the act of cheating.
Examples in context
- Vas-tu jamais confesser de tromper ton copain ?Are you ever going to fess up about cheating on your boyfriend?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of tromper regarding romantic partners.Tatoeba #538407 by sacredceltic, translation #535248 by kebukebu
- Je soupçonne sa femme de le tromper avec le facteur.I suspect that his wife is cheating on him with the postman.This sentence demonstrates how to use tromper to express suspicion of infidelity.Tatoeba #12625929 by lbdx, translation #1640042 by Spamster
- J'ai trouvé ma femme en train de me tromper avec mon meilleur ami.I saw my spouse while he was cheating on me with my best friend.This sentence shows how to describe catching someone in the act of using tromper.Tatoeba #3655787 by THURET, translation #10743922 by Danika_Dakika
- Elle l'a trompé avec son meilleur amiShe cheated on him with his best friend
- Il a abusé de ma confiance en me trompantHe betrayed my trust by cheating on me
- Il l'a cocufiée avec sa collègueHe cheated on her with his colleague
- Sa tromperie a brisé leur mariageHis cheating shattered their marriage
- La tricherie dans un jeu de cartes est totalement inacceptable.Cheating in a card game is totally unacceptable.
- Il a trompé sa petite amie en flirtant avec d'autres filles.He cheated on his girlfriend by flirting with other girls.
- La tromperie est un motif de rupture dans de nombreuses relations.Cheating is a reason for breaking up in many relationships.
- Elle l'a cocufié et il ne lui a jamais pardonné.She cheated on him, and he never forgave her.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are talking about a dishonest business partner.
- EmmaJe pense qu'il a essayé de nous tromper.I think he tried to cheat us.
- HugoC'est possible, ses chiffres sont très bizarres.It's possible, his figures are very strange.
- EmmaTromper les gens est un crime grave.Cheating people is a serious crime.
- HugoNous devons appeler un avocat, Emma.We must call a lawyer, Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tromper, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tromper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
