Inklingo

How to Say "lie" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “lie” is “mentira” — use 'mentira' for any untruth, from a small fib to a serious deception. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'lie'.

English → Spanish

mentira

men-TEE-rahmenˈtiɾa

NounA1General
Use 'mentira' for any untruth, from a small fib to a serious deception. It's the most common and versatile translation for 'lie'.
A simple storybook character looking slightly guilty, featuring an exaggeratedly long wooden nose, symbolizing the act of telling a lie.

Examples

No puedes confiar en él, siempre dice mentiras.

You can't trust him, he always tells lies.

Descubrimos que toda su historia era una mentira.

We discovered that his entire story was a falsehood.

¡Qué mentira tan grande me contaste!

What a big lie you told me!

Gender Rule

As a noun ending in -a, 'mentira' is always feminine. Use 'la' before it, or 'una' if you are referring to one lie.

Using the Verb vs. the Noun

Mistake: “I lie = *Yo soy mentira.* (Incorrect: This means 'I am a lie'.)”

Correction: The action of lying uses the verb *mentir*: *Yo miento.* (I lie.)

bola

boh-lahˈbo.la

nounB1Informal
Use 'bola' informally to refer to a fib or an obvious untruth, often said in a dismissive or confrontational way.
A small figure whispering into another person's ear, and the whispered sound visually manifests as a disproportionately large, absurd object, symbolizing a lie.

Examples

¡No me vengas con esa bola! Sé que no es verdad.

Don't give me that lie! I know it's not true.

Se inventó una bola sobre por qué llegó tarde.

He made up a tall tale about why he was late.

cuento

KWEN-tohˈkwen̪.t̪o

nounB1Informal
Use 'cuento' informally for an untrue story or excuse, implying it's fabricated or unbelievable.
A cartoon character standing awkwardly, attempting to hide a large, ridiculously fake object behind their back, symbolizing a lie.

Examples

¡Ese es un cuento muy viejo! No te creo nada.

That's a very old excuse! I don't believe anything you say.

Siempre viene con el mismo cuento de que el tráfico fue terrible.

He always comes up with the same story/excuse about the traffic being terrible.

No me vengas con cuentos, sé la verdad.

Don't give me any of your nonsense; I know the truth.

falsedad

fal-seh-DAHDfalsedád

nounB1General
Use 'falsedad' to describe a statement that is factually untrue, often implying a more formal or serious untruth, like in news or official statements.
A wooden puppet with a very long nose standing in a simple room.

Examples

La noticia estaba llena de falsedades sobre el presidente.

The news was full of falsehoods about the president.

Es una falsedad absoluta decir que yo no estuve allí.

It is an absolute untruth to say that I wasn't there.

No podemos permitir que esta falsedad se difunda más.

We cannot allow this falsehood to spread any further.

Always Feminine

Spanish words ending in '-dad' (like truth, city, or falsehood) are always feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with this word.

Don't use 'el'

Mistake: “El falsedad es malo.”

Correction: La falsedad es mala. (Nouns ending in -dad are feminine, and adjectives must match).

invención

nounB2General
Use 'invención' for something that is completely made up or fabricated, suggesting it has no basis in reality.

Examples

Esa historia es una pura invención de la prensa.

That story is a pure fabrication by the press.

Choosing Between 'Mentira', 'Bola', and 'Cuento'

Learners often use 'mentira' for all situations, but 'bola' and 'cuento' are important informal alternatives. Remember 'bola' and 'cuento' are typically used for less serious, more conversational untruths or excuses, whereas 'mentira' is the general, all-purpose term.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.