mentira
“mentira” means “lie” in Spanish (An untrue statement).
lie
Also: falsehood, fib
📝 In Action
No puedes confiar en él, siempre dice mentiras.
A1You can't trust him, he always tells lies.
Descubrimos que toda su historia era una mentira.
A2We discovered that his entire story was a falsehood.
¡Qué mentira tan grande me contaste!
A2What a big lie you told me!
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: mentira
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'mentira'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *mentiri* (to lie), which itself is related to *mens* (mind). This suggests that a lie is something constructed or invented in the mind, rather than reflecting reality.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'mentira' the same as 'engaño'?
Not exactly. 'Mentira' is a false statement. 'Engaño' (deception or trick) is the overall act or scheme used to mislead someone, which may or may not involve telling a specific lie.
How do I make 'mentira' plural?
Like most Spanish nouns, you just add an -s: 'mentiras' (lies). For example, 'Él cuenta muchas mentiras' (He tells many lies).