mientes
/mjentes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you lie" is translated into Spanish as mientes.
This phrase is used to make a statement telling someone that they are not telling the truth.
Which one should you use?
The form mientes specifically implies a singular "you" (tú). If you are addressing multiple people, you should use the form mienten.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Argentina, people may use estás mintiendo more frequently than tú mientes.
How does it change in a sentence?
mientes is the second-person singular informal conjugation of the verb mentir. To address someone formally (usted), you must use the form miente instead of mientes. Additionally, miente can also mean "he/she lies".
How do you pronounce it?
/mjentes/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use the noun mentira as a standalone exclamation to express surprise, similar to saying 'no way' in English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¡Mientes! can be a playful or flirtatious challenge during a conversation rather than a serious accusation of dishonesty.
- While mientes describes the action, calling someone a mentiroso is often viewed as a much more severe social stigma because it defines the person's character.
Examples in context
- Si mientes, te castigaré.If you lie, I'll punish you.This sentence shows the consequence of lying using mientes.Tatoeba #9926681 by Shishir, translation #9926680 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Por qué mientes?Why do you lie?This sentence asks for the reason behind the lie using mientes.Tatoeba #1281225 by marcelostockle, translation #762140 by CK
- Mientes.You lie.This sentence is a direct statement that you lie using mientes.Tatoeba #1371982 by enteka, translation #1358268 by mccarras
Example conversation
Maria and Daniel are arguing about a broken vase.
- MaríaTú rompiste el jarrón, Daniel.You broke the vase, Daniel.
- DanielYo no fui, fue el gato.It wasn't me, it was the cat.
- María¡Mientes! El gato no estaba aquí.You lie! The cat wasn't here.
- DanielDe verdad, no es mentira.Really, it's not a lie.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
