me ilusionó
/me ilusjono/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'led me on' is translated into Spanish as me ilusionó.
This phrase is used when someone makes another person believe that a romantic relationship is possible when it is not. While me ilusionó is the standard way to express the act of being led on, it focuses on the emotional state of the person who was given false hope.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me ilusionó is composed of the indirect object pronoun me (me) and the verb ilusionar (to give illusions or false hopes) conjugated in the preterite tense. Literally, it means 'he/she/it gave me illusions/false hopes'.
Which one should you use?
Use me ilusionó to say that he, she or it led you on. If you are speaking directly to the person who led you on, use me ilusionaste to say 'you led me on'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form me ilusionó is in the third-person singular preterite, which indicates that the action of leading someone on occurred in the past. To address someone directly in the past tense, use the second-person singular preterite me ilusionaste.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the act of leading someone on is often described as dar alas, which literally means 'to give wings'.
- While 'illusion' in English often carries a negative connotation of a lie or a delusion, the Spanish verb ilusionar can also be used positively to describe the excitement or joyful anticipation of something wonderful happening.
- Because ilusionar can be used reflexively, saying me ilusioné means you got your own hopes up, regardless of whether someone else led you on.
Examples in context
- Me hiciste creer que había algo másYou led me on to believe there was something more.
- Me engañasteYou led me on.
- Me siento tan engañada por David. Me dio falsas esperanzas haciéndome creer que quería una relación seria.I feel so misled by David. He gave me false hope, making me believe he wanted a serious relationship.
- No me ilusionó con falsas promesas.He/she didn't lead me on with false promises.
- Ella me ilusionó con sus mensajes.She led me on with her messages.
- Siento que solo me ilusionó para no estar sola.I feel like he only led me on so he wouldn't be alone.
Example conversation
Lucía is telling Javier how she feels about a recent breakup.
- Javier¿Estás bien, Lucía?Are you okay, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, es que él me ilusionó mucho.No, it's just that he led me on a lot.
- JavierLo siento mucho, te mereces algo mejor.I'm so sorry, you deserve something better.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, de verdad lo aprecio.Thanks, Javier, I really appreciate it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
