falso
/ˈfalso/
The English phrase "two-faced" can be translated into Spanish as falso.
The word is used to describe someone who is deceitful or duplicitous. You can also use the phrase de dos caras to describe a person's dual nature, or the noun doble cara to refer to a person who is two-faced.
Meaning: Deceitful, duplicitous (adj)
Which one should you use?
While falso is a general adjective, doble cara can be used specifically as a noun to describe the person themselves. The informal phrase de dos caras specifically highlights the concept of having two different natures.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use falsa for feminine singular nouns, falsos for masculine plural nouns and falsas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfalso/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, calling someone falso can refer to their personality, but it is also the standard term used to describe 'counterfeit' money or fake documents.
- Spanish speakers often prefer the word hipócrita over falso when specifically describing the social act of pretending to be someone's friend while betraying them.
- The word falso preserves its initial 'f' sound because of the learned pronunciation habits of scholars and writers during its development from Latin.
Examples in context
- El político mostró su verdadera doble cara durante el discurso.The politician showed his true two-faced nature during the speech.
- No puedes confiar en ella, es una persona hipócrita.You can't trust her, she's a hypocritical person.
- No te fíes de él, es un tipo falso.Don't trust him, he's a fake guy.
- No me gusta tratar con gente de dos caras.I don't like dealing with two-faced people.
- Él es un hombre falso.He is a two-faced man.
- Me cansé de su comportamiento falso.I am tired of his two-faced behavior.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a former colleague at a cafe.
- Daniel¿Cómo está tu nuevo jefe?How is your new boss?
- MaríaEs muy falso conmigo.He is very two-faced with me.
- DanielLo siento mucho, María.I am very sorry, María.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, pero ya no me importa.Thanks, Daniel, but I don't care anymore.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry falso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries falso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
