Inklingo

How to Say "feigning" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fingiendo

/fin-HYEN-doh//fiŋˈxjen.do/

Verb form (Gerund)A2General
Use 'fingiendo' when describing the act of pretending or faking something in real-time, often as part of an ongoing action.
A simple cartoon character holding a bright, smiling theatrical mask in front of their face, while their visible eyes above the mask look genuinely tired, illustrating the act of pretending.

Examples

Ella está fingiendo que no le importa el resultado.

She is pretending that the result doesn't matter to her.

Estuvimos fingiendo toda la noche para no arruinar la sorpresa.

We were pretending all night so as not to ruin the surprise.

Él entró a la oficina fingiendo una sonrisa.

He entered the office faking a smile.

Forming Continuous Actions

The word 'fingiendo' is the '-ing' form of 'fingir'. It is usually paired with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that the action is happening right now: 'estoy fingiendo' (I am pretending).

Spelling Change in the Base Verb

The base verb 'fingir' is tricky because the 'g' changes to a 'j' when followed by 'a' or 'o'. For example, the 'yo' form is 'finjo' (I pretend), not 'fingo'. However, the gerund 'fingiendo' keeps the 'g' because it is followed by 'i'.

Confusing Gerunds

Mistake: “Using 'fingiendo' in English sentence structure, e.g., 'Fingiendo es difícil.'”

Correction: In Spanish, you must use the infinitive (fingir) as the subject: 'Fingir es difícil' (Pretending is difficult). 'Fingiendo' only describes an ongoing action or manner.

simulación

NounB2General
Use 'simulación' when referring to the concept or act of pretense as a noun, especially when it involves faking an illness or an emotion.

Examples

Su alegría era una simple simulación.

His joy was a mere pretense.

Gerund vs. Noun

Learners often confuse 'fingiendo' (the gerund, an ongoing action) with 'simulación' (the noun, the act or concept). Remember, 'fingiendo' describes *doing* the feigning, while 'simulación' refers to the *state* or *instance* of feigning.

Related Translations

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