ingannevole
The English word deceitful is translated into Italian as ingannevole.
Ingannevole describes something or someone that is deliberately misleading or cheating. While it can be used to describe a person, it is very frequently used to describe abstract concepts such as sensations, silence or appearances that provide a false impression.
Meaning: deliberately misleading or cheating (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ingannevole can apply to people, it is often used for abstract things that are misleading. For a similar formal sense of being deceptive, the term fallace may also be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ingannevole is invariable regarding gender, meaning it does not change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. To use the word in a plural context, use ingannevoli.
Did you know?
- In Italian, you can call someone a buffone if their deceit is played for laughs, a word that evolved from 'jester' to describe a ridiculous or deceptive person.
- The word ingannare can sometimes be used in romantic contexts to mean 'to seduce' or 'to lead someone on' through false promises.
- While an English speaker might say a person is 'deceitful', an Italian might more commonly describe such a person as falso, which literally means 'false'.
Examples in context
- Ho imparato a mie spese che il silenzio può essere ingannevole.I learned the hard way that silence can be deceitful.This sentence is useful for showing how ingannevole can describe the abstract concept of silence.Tatoeba #13197226 by Nuel, translation #13197225 by Nuel
- La sua promessa era ingannevoleHis promise was deceitful
- Non mi fido di lui, mi sembra troppo falsoI don't trust him, he seems too deceitful
- una persona ingannevolea deceitful person
- persone ingannevolideceitful people
- Il suo comportamento è stato estremamente ingannevole durante il negoziatoHis behavior was highly deceitful during the negotiation
- Quella pubblicità è molto ingannevole.That advertisement is very deceitful.
- Non fidarti di quel piano ingannevole.Don't trust that deceitful plan.
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a suspicious online advertisement.
- MartinaGuarda questo annuncio, Francesco. I prezzi sono bassissimi!Look at this ad, Francesco. The prices are very low!
- FrancescoNon comprarlo, Martina. Secondo me è un sito ingannevole.Don't buy it, Martina. In my opinion, it is a deceitful site.
- MartinaHai ragione, le foto sembrano finte.You are right, the photos look fake.
- FrancescoEsatto, è meglio stare lontani da queste trappole.Exactly, it is better to stay away from these traps.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
