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deception and Spanish decepción
In English
deception
deceit / the act of deceiving
In Spanish
decepción
desilusión
Spanish "decepción" means: disappointment
Why they get mixed up Spanish "decepción" is the disappointment you feel when something doesn't meet your expectations. English "deception" is the deliberate act of deceiving someone. One is a passive emotion, the other an active deed.
If you want to say...
- deceptionengaño
- disappointmentdecepción
- deceptiveengañoso
Examples
The trick was pure deception.
El truco fue puro engaño.
He was accused of deception.
Lo acusaron de engaño.
The deception was discovered after three years.
El engaño se descubrió después de tres años.
Advertising should never rely on deception.
La publicidad nunca debería basarse en el engaño.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Fue una decepción de los inversionistas: les mintieron.
Correct: Fue un engaño a los inversionistas: les mintieron.
Decepción means disappointment. Deception is engaño.
Incorrect: Nos decepcionaron para quitarnos el dinero.
Correct: Nos engañaron para quitarnos el dinero.
Decepcionar means to disappoint. To deceive, use engañar.
Phrases you will hear
- obtained by deceptionobtenido con engaño
- a clever deceptionun engaño ingenioso
- deceptive advertisingpublicidad engañosa
- deceive someoneengañar a alguien
- disappointmentdecepción
- a letdownuna desilusión
In a conversation
- A:
The ad was a deception.
El anuncio fue un engaño.
- B:
Yes, the price was deceptive.
Sí, el precio era engañoso.
- A:
What a disappointment.
Qué decepción.
- B:
At least we found the truth.
Al menos encontramos la verdad.
Test yourself
"An act of deception" is an act of...
To remember it
Deception = deceit/the act of deceiving. Feeling let down (Spanish "decepción") = disappointment.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "decepción" mean?
Spanish "decepción" means "disappointment". It looks like the English "deception", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "deception" means "deceit / the act of deceiving".
Does English "deception" mean the same as Spanish "decepción"?
Spanish "decepción" is the disappointment you feel when something doesn't meet your expectations. English "deception" is the deliberate act of deceiving someone. One is a passive emotion, the other an active deed.