mentiroso
/mentiˈɾoso/masculine
The Spanish word for liar is mentiroso. Wiktionary also lists embustero.
Meaning: one who tells lies (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mentiroso | /mentiˈɾoso/ | masculine |
| embustero | /embusˈteɾo/ | masculine |
A liar is someone who tells lies.
Which one should you use?
While mentiroso is the standard term for a liar, embustero often implies someone who tells more elaborate, deceptive or harmless tall tales.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of mentiroso is mentirosa. When referring to a person of unknown gender or a mixed-gender group, the masculine plural mentirosos is used.
How do you pronounce it?
/mentiˈɾoso/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, a 'compulsive liar' is often referred to as a mitómano, a term borrowed from the Greek word for myth.
- The word embustero shares a linguistic lineage with the English word 'impostor', as both are connected to the Latin concept of deception.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a mentiroso in a playful tone during a game can be a way of teasing rather than a moral accusation.
Examples in context
- Él es un mentiroso.He's a liar.This sentence is useful for identifying a male as a liar.Tatoeba #1522789 by marcelostockle, translation #1522255 by erikspen
- Tom es un mentiroso.Tom is a liar.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific person, Tom, as a liar.Tatoeba #2383132 by hayastan, translation #2272822 by CK
- Él es un mal mentiroso.He's a bad liar.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is not very good at lying.Tatoeba #1672054 by marcelostockle, translation #1671919 by Spamster
- Tú eres un mentiroso.You are a liar.
- Ella es una mentirosa.She is a liar.
- No te creo, eres un embustero.I don't believe you, you're a liar.
- ¡No seas embustera, sabemos la verdad!Don't be a liar, we know the truth!
- ¡No le hagas caso, es un cuentista!Don't listen to him, he's a liar!
- Puedes confiar en ella, no es una cuentista.You can trust her, she's not a liar.
- Ustedes son unos mentirosos.You all are liars.
- Las personas que propagan rumores son mentirosas.People who spread rumors are liars.
- Por favor, no mientan. No sean farsantes.Please, don't lie. Don't be liars.
- No te fíes de él, es un embustador.Don't trust him, he's a liar.
- Esa señora es una embustadora, no le creas.That lady is a liar, don't believe her.
- 87 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is arguing with María about a secret.
- AlejandroNo me digas más, eres un mentiroso.Don't tell me anymore, you are a liar.
- María¡Eso no es verdad, Alejandro!That is not true, Alejandro!
- AlejandroLo sé todo, mentiroso.I know everything, liar.
- MaríaEstá bien, yo lo hice.Alright, I did it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “liar” translations and entries mentiroso, embustero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embustero, mentiroso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
