How to Say "sham" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “sham” is “farsa” — use 'farsa' when referring to an event or situation that is an insincere act or a deceptive pretense, often with a sense of public performance.
farsa
FAR-sahˈfaɾsa
Examples
La elección fue una farsa para mantener las apariencias.
The election was a sham to maintain appearances.
La votación fue una farsa; los resultados ya estaban decididos de antemano.
The vote was a sham; the results were already decided beforehand.
No podemos permitir que este juicio se convierta en una farsa.
We cannot allow this trial to turn into a mockery.
Dejó la reunión porque dijo que todo era una farsa sin sentido.
She left the meeting because she said the whole thing was a senseless farce.
Gender Reminder
Even though 'farsa' ends in '-a', remember that it is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la farsa' or 'una farsa'.
Confusing with 'False'
Mistake: “Using 'farsa' to mean 'false' or 'untrue' in a general sense.”
Correction: Use 'falso' (adjective) or 'mentira' (noun for lie). 'Farsa' specifically means a ridiculous or insincere situation or event.
simulación
Examples
Su enfermedad era una simulación para evitar el trabajo.
His illness was a sham to avoid work.
ficticio
feek-TEE-syohfikˈtisjo
Examples
El informe que presentó era completamente ficticio.
The report he presented was a complete sham.
Sherlock Holmes es un personaje ficticio.
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character.
La historia ocurre en un mundo ficticio.
The story takes place in a fictional world.
Usó un nombre ficticio para entrar al club.
He used a fictitious name to enter the club.
Matching Endings
This word must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'ficticio' for masculine items and 'ficticia' for feminine items. For plural, use 'ficticios' or 'ficticias'.
Word Order
In Spanish, you almost always place 'ficticio' after the noun you are describing, like 'un mundo ficticio' (a fictional world).
Confusing 'Ficticio' and 'Falso'
Mistake: “Using 'ficticio' for a broken promise or a lie.”
Correction: Use 'ficticio' for things created by imagination (books) or identity (fake names). Use 'falso' for things that are simply not true or deceptive.
simulacro
see-moo-LAH-krohsimuˈlakɾo
Examples
El debate fue un simulacro de discusión seria.
The debate was a sham of a serious discussion.
Ese juicio fue un simulacro de justicia.
That trial was a mockery of justice.
Su amistad no era más que un simulacro.
Their friendship was nothing more than a sham.
Abstract Use
In this context, the word describes a quality of being 'fake' rather than a physical event like a fire drill.
Farsa vs. Simulación
Related Translations
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