How to Say "made up" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “made up” is “inventado” — use this when describing something as fictional, not real, or fabricated, like a story, an excuse, or a lie.
inventado
een-vehn-TAH-dohim.benˈta.ðo
Examples
Su coartada era completamente inventada.
His alibi was completely made up.
La noticia resultó ser inventada por un periódico sensacionalista.
The news turned out to be fake (invented) by a sensationalist newspaper.
No te creas ese rumor; es inventado.
Don't believe that rumor; it's fake.
Adjusting the Ending
As an adjective, 'inventado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'inventada' (f.), 'inventados' (m. plural), 'inventadas' (f. plural).
Examples
Mi hermano inventó una excusa terrible para llegar tarde.
My brother made up a terrible excuse to be late.
caracterizado
ka-rak-te-ree-SAH-dohkaɾakteɾiˈsaðo
Examples
El actor ya está caracterizado de su personaje.
The actor is already in character/made up as his character.
Han caracterizado al villano de forma aterradora.
They have portrayed the villain in a terrifying way.
Fue caracterizado como un héroe nacional.
He was portrayed as a national hero.
Makeup and Costume
When an actor is in costume, use 'estar caracterizado de' (to be made up as) or 'estar caracterizado como'.
Spelling Change
When the root verb changes its form (like in 'caractericé'), the 'z' turns into a 'c' because of Spanish spelling rules before the letter 'e'.
Acting vs. Being
Fiction vs. Fabrication
Related Translations
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