Inklingo

How to Say "to simulate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fingir

feen-HEERfinˈxiɾ

verbB1general
Use this word when you want to express pretending or faking a feeling, state, or action, often to deceive someone.
A storybook illustration of a small child sitting on the floor, dramatically frowning and holding a hand near their face as if crying, while secretly peeking through one eye to see if anyone is watching.

Examples

Ella fingió no escuchar el despertador.

She pretended not to hear the alarm clock.

No tienes que fingir felicidad si estás triste.

You don't have to fake happiness if you are sad.

El niño finge ser un piloto de carreras con su juguete.

The boy pretends to be a race car driver with his toy.

The G-to-J Switch

In the 'yo' form of the present tense (and all present subjunctive forms), the 'g' changes to a 'j' (finjo, finja). This happens so the sound stays strong, like the 'h' in 'house'.

Using 'Fingir Que'

When you use 'fingir que...' (to pretend that...), the verb that follows usually stays in the normal indicative form, unless you are expressing doubt or impossibility about the pretense itself.

Forgetting the J

Mistake: “Yo fingo (Incorrect)”

Correction: Yo finjo (Correct). Remember that the 'g' needs to become a 'j' when followed by 'o' or 'a' to maintain the hard sound.

imitar

ee-mee-TAHRimiˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Use this word when something is made to look or sound like something else, such as materials or sounds.
A close-up of a high-quality ceramic tile that looks exactly like dark oak wood grain.

Examples

Este suelo de vinilo imita la madera perfectamente.

This vinyl floor resembles wood perfectly.

Es una joya barata que imita el oro.

It is a cheap piece of jewelry that simulates gold.

La luz artificial intenta imitar la luz del sol.

The artificial light tries to mimic sunlight.

No 'Personal A' for Things

When talking about materials (like wood or gold), you do NOT use the word 'a'. Example: 'Imita la madera' (It looks like wood).

simular

see-moo-LAHRsimuˈlaɾ

verbB2general
Use this word when you are recreating conditions, often using technology, for testing, training, or scientific study.
A pilot sitting in a cockpit training module with screens showing a blue sky.

Examples

Los científicos usan computadoras para simular el cambio climático.

Scientists use computers to simulate climate change.

El entrenamiento sirve para simular una situación de emergencia real.

The training serves to simulate a real emergency situation.

Este software puede simular el vuelo de un avión.

This software can simulate an airplane's flight.

Scientific Context

In technical Spanish, this word describes an objective process of imitation, usually by a machine or a program.

Fingir vs. Simular

Learners often confuse 'fingir' and 'simular'. Remember that 'fingir' is about pretending or faking an emotion or action, while 'simular' is about recreating conditions, usually for technical or scientific purposes.

Related Translations

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