Spanish word of the day: Fingir

What does fingir mean?

Fingir (verb) – To pretend, fake, or put on a front. When you finges (pretend), you act as if something is true when it isn’t—whether you’re hiding your real feelings, inventing an excuse, or just playing along for fun. It’s the go-to word for any situation where someone isn’t being completely genuine.

Example sentences with fingir

• Tuvo que fingir que le gustaba el regalo para no herir los sentimientos de su amigo.
  🎁😅 She had to pretend she liked the gift so she wouldn’t hurt her friend’s feelings.

• No me gusta cuando la gente finge interés solo por compromiso.
  😐 I don’t like it when people fake interest just out of obligation.

• El actor fingió estar enfermo para evitar la entrevista.
  🎬🤒 The actor pretended to be sick to avoid the interview.

Confused about how to conjugate fingir?
Our conjugation tables can help.

Fingir in context

You’ll hear fingir in all kinds of everyday situations—from little white lies to more serious acts of deception. It’s a word that comes up when talking about kids playing make-believe, adults hiding their true emotions, or anyone putting on a show for others. Sometimes fingir is harmless, like pretending to be surprised at a party; other times, it can have a negative connotation, especially if someone is being insincere or manipulative.

If you want to sound natural in Spanish, use fingir when describing moments of acting, pretending, or not showing your true self. It’s a versatile verb that fits right into conversations about social situations, relationships, and even professional life—because let’s be honest, we all have to fingir a little sometimes!