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How to Say "to concoct" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cocinar

koh-see-narko.siˈnaɾ

verbB1
Use 'cocinar' when you are creating a story or an excuse, often implying a degree of imagination or fabrication to make it believable.
A character wearing a chef's hat and apron, humorously stirring colorful, abstract shapes representing ideas or words inside a giant mixing bowl.

Examples

Tuvieron que cocinar una excusa creíble para el jefe.

They had to concoct a believable excuse for the boss.

El director cocinó los números para que parecieran mejores.

The director cooked the books (falsified the numbers) so they would look better.

Están cocinando un plan para fusionar las dos empresas.

They are arranging a plan to merge the two companies.

Figurative Use

When used in this sense, 'cocinar' implies detailed, often secretive, preparation, much like 'cooking up' a scheme in English.

inventar

een-ben-TARimbenˈtaɾ

verbB1
Choose 'inventar' when you are making up a complex lie or a series of excuses, often with the implication that they are not true.
A child with an imaginative expression telling a story while a thought bubble above them shows a friendly purple dragon.

Examples

No me mientas, dejá de inventar excusas.

Don't lie to me, stop making up excuses.

Ella inventó una historia fantástica para su sobrino.

She made up a fantastic story for her nephew.

fabricar

fah-bree-KAHRfaβɾiˈkaɾ

verbB2
Use 'fabricar' when you are creating a plan or a lie, suggesting a more deliberate and constructed falsehood, often with a negative connotation.
A child with an imaginative expression pointing towards a friendly purple dragon in the room.

Examples

Él fabricó una mentira increíble para salir del problema.

He made up an incredible lie to get out of the problem.

No intentes fabricar excusas ahora.

Don't try to make up excuses now.

Metaphorical Building

Think of this like 'building' a story piece by piece. Just like building a car, you are carefully constructing a lie or excuse.

Choosing Between 'Cocinar' and 'Inventar'

Learners often confuse 'cocinar' and 'inventar' because both can be used for excuses. Remember that 'cocinar' often implies making a story sound plausible, while 'inventar' suggests a more straightforward fabrication of untruths.

Related Translations

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