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How to Say "cheating" in Spanish

English → Spanish

engañando

en-gah-NYAHN-doheŋ.ɡaˈɲan.do

verbB1general
Use this when someone is being dishonest or deceiving you, often in a transactional or informational context.
A colorful storybook illustration showing one child hiding a toy behind their back while smiling slyly and showing empty hands to another confused child.

Examples

Creo que el vendedor nos está engañando con el precio.

I think the salesperson is deceiving us with the price.

Ella sigue engañando a sus padres sobre sus notas.

She keeps tricking her parents about her grades.

Llevaba meses engañando a su pareja, pero ella no lo sabía.

He had been cheating on his partner for months, but she didn't know it.

The Continuous Action

"Engañando" is the '-ando' form, which shows an action that is currently happening or ongoing. You usually use it with a form of the verb 'estar' (like 'está engañando').

Adverbial Use

This form can also explain how an action is performed, acting like an adverb. Example: 'Llegó cantando' (He arrived singing).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Él es engañando.”

Correction: Él está engañando. Remember, continuous actions always use the verb 'estar' (to be) plus the '-ando' form.

trampas

trahm-pahsˈtɾampas

nounB1general
This term refers specifically to the act of using unfair methods to gain an advantage in academics, games, or competitions.
A storybook illustration showing a cartoon fox cheating at a simple card game against a rabbit by secretly hiding a card behind its back.

Examples

El profesor descubrió que algunos estudiantes hacían trampas en el examen final.

The professor discovered that some students were cheating on the final exam.

No me gusta jugar con él porque siempre hace trampas.

I don't like playing with him because he always uses tricks (cheats).

Usaron trampas fiscales para evadir impuestos, lo cual es ilegal.

They used tax tricks (schemes) to evade taxes, which is illegal.

Always Plural

Even when you are talking about a single act of cheating, Spanish usually uses the plural form 'trampas' with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make).

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Hizo una trampa en el juego.”

Correction: Hizo trampas en el juego. (The singular 'una trampa' usually means a physical trap or snare.)

cuerno

KWER-nohˈkweɾno

nounB2informal
Use this figurative term when referring to infidelity or being unfaithful in a romantic relationship.
A broken red heart shape split down the middle with a sad expression.

Examples

Ella le puso los cuernos con un compañero de trabajo.

She cheated on him with a coworker.

The Verb 'Poner'

In this context, we always use the verb 'poner' (to put) to describe the act of cheating.

Careful with this word!

Mistake: “Telling someone they 'have horns' (tienes cuernos).”

Correction: This is a major insult in many Spanish-speaking cultures. Only use it if you are prepared for a very angry reaction!

tramposo

trahm-POH-sohtɾamˈposo

adjectiveA2general
Use this adjective to describe a person who habitually cheats or doesn't play by the rules.
A child hiding a card behind their back while playing a card game.

Examples

No quiero jugar con él porque es muy tramposo.

I don't want to play with him because he is a big cheater.

Ese es un truco tramposo para ganar el nivel.

That is a sneaky trick to win the level.

Sus tácticas tramposas fueron descubiertas por el árbitro.

His cheating tactics were discovered by the referee.

Matching the Ending

Since this is an adjective, you must change the 'o' to an 'a' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object (e.g., 'una niña tramposa').

Using with 'Ser'

We almost always use 'ser' with this word because we are describing a person's character or a fixed quality of a game.

Cheater vs. Cheat

Mistake: “Hacer tramposo.”

Correction: Say 'hacer trampa' for the action of cheating, and use 'ser tramposo' to describe the person.

Infidelity vs. Deception vs. Misconduct

Learners often confuse 'engañando' (deceiving) with 'cuerno' (infidelity). Remember that 'cuerno' is specifically for romantic unfaithfulness, while 'engañando' can apply to any situation where someone is being dishonest or tricked, like in a business deal. Also, 'trampas' is for the act of cheating in games/exams, and 'tramposo' describes the person who does it.

Related Translations

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