mentiroso compulsivo
/mentiɾoso kompulsibo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'habitual liar' is translated into Spanish as mentiroso compulsivo.
This phrase refers to a person who lies frequently and habitually, often without a clear reason. You may also use the term mentiroso patológico to express the same concept of a pathological liar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mentiroso compulsivo is more literally translated as 'compulsive liar' in English.
Which one should you use?
You can also use mentiroso patológico to specifically denote a pathological liar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, the term mitómano/a is used. In Spain, the term embustero/a patológico/a is used to describe a habitual liar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes gender to agree with the subject. For example, use mentirosa compulsiva to refer to a female subject.
Did you know?
- The term mitómano is derived from the Greek words for 'falsehood' and 'madness', framing habitual lying as a psychological obsession rather than a moral failing.
- While mentiroso is a common label, calling a friend a mentiroso in certain social contexts is often a playful tease rather than a serious accusation.
- In Spain, using embustero instead of mentiroso implies the person is a storyteller who weaves imaginative and elaborate lies rather than simple factual falsehoods.
Examples in context
- Es importante tener en cuenta las declaraciones de esta persona, dado que se ha detectado que es un mentiroso compulsivo.It is crucial to take into account the statements of this individual, as it has been detected that he is a habitual liar.
- Deberíamos evaluar con cuidado lo que dice el testigo, ya que sospechamos que es una persona que miente habitualmente.We should carefully evaluate what the witness says, as we suspect he is a person who lies habitually.
- No le creas, es un embustero de primera.Don't believe him, he's a top-notch liar.
- No confíes en él, es un mentiroso compulsivo.Don't trust him, he is a habitual liar.
- Ese hombre resultó ser un mentiroso compulsivo.That man turned out to be a habitual liar.
Example conversation
Lucía is warning Daniel about a man they just met.
- Daniel¿Debería creer en su historia?Should I believe his story?
- LucíaNo, Daniel, él es un mentiroso compulsivo.No, Daniel, he is a habitual liar.
- Daniel¿Estás segura de lo que dices?Are you sure about what you are saying?
- LucíaSí, lo conozco desde hace mucho tiempo.Yes, I have known him for a long time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
