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How to Say "to concoct" in Spanish

English → Spanish

inventar

/een-ben-TAR//imbenˈtaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'inventar' when 'to concoct' specifically means to make up a lie, an excuse, or a fictional story, often implying dishonesty or fabrication.
A child with an imaginative expression telling a story while a thought bubble above them shows a friendly purple dragon.

Examples

El niño inventó una historia fantástica sobre por qué no hizo la tarea.

The child concocted a fantastic story about why he didn't do his homework.

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.

cocinar

/koh-see-nar//ko.siˈnaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'cocinar' when 'to concoct' means to create or put together something, especially an excuse or a plan, often with a sense of careful preparation.
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 vs. Cocinar for Excuses

Learners often confuse 'inventar' and 'cocinar' when talking about excuses. While both can be used, 'inventar' strongly suggests making something up out of thin air, often implying a falsehood. 'Cocinar' implies more of a deliberate construction or preparation of the excuse.

Related Translations

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