darte falsas esperanzas
/daɾte falsas espeɾanθas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, to lead you on is darte falsas esperanzas.
This phrase is used to describe the act of making someone believe that you have romantic feelings for them when you actually do not.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase darte falsas esperanzas literally translates to to give you false hopes.
Which one should you use?
While darte falsas esperanzas specifically targets 'you', you can use ilusionar a alguien as a common alternative to describe making someone believe in a romantic possibility that is not real.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be used without the pronoun te (you) as dar falsas esperanzas if the person being led on is specified later in the sentence or is implied by the context. To change the object from 'you' to 'him' or 'her', you must change the indirect object pronoun from te to le, resulting in darle falsas esperanzas.
How do you pronounce it?
/daɾte falsas espeɾanθas/
Did you know?
- While ilusionar is used to 'lead someone on', the noun ilusión often means 'hope' or 'excitement' in a positive sense, rather than 'illusion' or 'delusion'.
- Spanish uses the verb dar (to give) for this phrase, treating 'hope' as a tangible gift that can be handed to someone, even if that gift is fake.
- In many Latin American countries, if someone is leading you on, you might say they are 'jugando con tus sentimientos', which translates to 'playing with your feelings'.
Examples in context
- No te hagas ilusiones, solo está jugueteando con tus sentimientos.Don't get your hopes up, they're just leading you on.
- Ella solo quería darte falsas esperanzas.She only wanted to lead you on.
- No me gusta darte falsas esperanzas con mis mensajes.I do not like leading you on with my messages.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are having a serious talk at a cafe.
- ElenaJavier, no quiero darte falsas esperanzas.Javier, I do not want to lead you on.
- Javier¿Entonces no sientes nada por mí?So you do not feel anything for me?
- ElenaEres un gran amigo, pero nada más.You are a great friend, but nothing more.
- JavierEntiendo, gracias por ser sincera.I understand, thanks for being honest.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
