finge
/FEEN-heh/
pretends
A child pretends to be a king using simple household items.
finge(verb)
pretends
?acting like something is true when it is not
,fakes
?simulating an emotion or physical state
feigns
?a more formal way to say pretending
📝 In Action
Él finge que está dormido para no hablar.
A2He pretends to be asleep so he doesn't have to talk.
Ella finge una sonrisa aunque está triste.
B1She fakes a smile even though she is sad.
💡 Grammar Points
The Dual Identity of Finge
'Finge' is used in two ways: to say what someone else is doing right now (He pretends) or to tell a friend to act (Pretend!).
Spelling Swap
Even though 'finge' has a 'g', other forms like 'finjo' use a 'j' to keep the sound scratchy and consistent.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pretender vs. Fingir
Mistake: "Using 'finge' when you mean 'plans to'."
Correction: In Spanish, 'pretender' means 'to intend' or 'to try'. Use 'finge' only when someone is actually faking or acting.
⭐ Usage Tips
Social Situations
Use 'finge' when describing someone putting on a 'poker face' or pretending they didn't see someone they know.
One friend tells another to pretend to be a scary dinosaur.
finge(verb)
pretend!
?telling a friend to act a certain way
fake it!
?commanding someone to simulate something
📝 In Action
¡Finge que eres un pirata!
A1Pretend that you are a pirate!
Finge que no me conoces si viene mi ex.
B1Pretend you don't know me if my ex comes over.
💡 Grammar Points
Giving Commands
When you want to tell a friend to 'Pretend!', you use 'finge'. It sounds exactly like the 'he/she' form.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: finge
Question 1 of 2
If your friend says '¡Finge una sorpresa!', what should you do?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'finge' a common word?
Yes, it is very common, especially in emotional contexts or when talking about people being 'fake' (una persona que finge).
Does 'finge' always mean lying?
Not necessarily. It can be for theater, games, or polite social situations (like pretending to like a meal you didn't enjoy).