Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| engañar | /enɡaˈɲaɾ/ |
| engrupir | /enɡɾuˈpiɾ/ |
| engatar | /enɡataɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb engañar is used to mean to fool or to cause someone to believe something untrue. When you want to refer to a trick as a noun, such as a clever method or a magic trick, use the word truco. For magic specifically, you can use the phrase trucos de magia.
Which one should you use?
While engañar is the standard verb for deceiving or tricking someone, engrupir is a much more informal way to express the same idea. If you are looking for a noun, truco refers to a clever method or a magic trick, whereas the formal noun ardid refers specifically to a clever or sly trick.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
engañar is the standard way to say to trick. In contrast, engrupir is considered colloquial or slang. For a formal context, the noun ardid can be used to describe a sly trick.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal term pillada is used to refer to a trick or a prank.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/enɡaˈɲaɾ/
Did you know?
- While engañar means to trick, it is also the standard word used to describe cheating on a romantic partner.
- The slang term engrupir comes from Lunfardo, a dialect that originated among the lower classes and criminals in the port cities of Argentina and Uruguay.
- Using truco can refer to a magic trick, but in some regions it also refers to a traditional Spanish card game of the same name.
Examples in context
- ¿Estabas tratando de engañarme?Were you trying to trick me?This sentence is useful for asking if someone was attempting to trick you using engañar.Tatoeba #9466240 by ignacio, translation #9466141 by CK
- Presiento que ella me va a engañar.I have a feeling she's going to trick me.This sentence is useful for expressing a feeling that someone is going to trick you using engañar.Tatoeba #5011648 by don_ramon, translation #11903508 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Maldito truhan! ¿De verdad creías que me ibas a engañar?Damn rascal! Did you really think you were going to trick me?This sentence is useful for questioning if someone truly believed they could trick you using engañar.Tatoeba #5391574 by Shishir, translation #5396699 by mailohilohi
- Ella utilizó un engaño para ganar el juegoShe used a trick to win the game
- El político utilizó una estratagema para obtener votosThe politician employed a trick to gain votes
- ¿Qué truco usaste para ganar el juego?What trick did you use to win the game?
- La picaresca del niño nos hizo reír muchoThe kid's trick made us laugh a lot
- Le hicieron una pillada al profesor durante la claseThey played a trick on the teacher during class
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a suspicious salesperson.
- SofíaNo quiero que ese hombre te logre engañar.I don't want that man to trick you.
- MateoNo te preocupes, Sofía, soy muy desconfiado.Don't worry, Sofía, I am very suspicious.
- SofíaSolo digo que es fácil engañar a la gente.I'm just saying it is easy to trick people.
- MateoLo sé, pero él no podrá engañarme a mí.I know, but he won't be able to trick me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trick” translations and entries engañar, engrupir, engatar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries engañar, engrupir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
