How To Say "To Lie" In Spanish

The English verb "to lie" has multiple meanings depending on context, making its translation into Spanish a bit more intricate. It can refer to both the act of reclining or resting in a horizontal position, as well as intentionally providing false information. Common translations of "to lie" in Spanish include acostarse (IPA: /ako̞sˈtaɾse/), mentir (IPA: /menˈtir/), and decir una mentira (IPA: /deˈθir ˈu.na menˈtiɾa/).

Meaning of "To Lie" in Spanish

Let us take a closer look at the meanings of "to lie" in Spanish:

Reclining or Resting: When you want to express the action of lying down or resting in Spanish, you will use the verb "acostarse," which also implies the idea of going to bed. For example:

• Quiero acostarme un rato. (I want to lie down for a while.)

Intentionally Providing False Information: When referring to the act of intentionally saying something untrue, the appropriate Spanish verb is "mentir." This verb encapsulates the concept of lying in the sense of deception. For instance:

• Me dijo una mentira sobre dónde estaba. (She told me a lie about her whereabouts.)

Synonymous with "To Fib": In this context, the verb "decir una mentira" is commonly used. It captures the essence of telling an untruth without necessarily implying malicious intent. For example:

• Dijo una mentira acerca de haberse comido el último trozo de pastel. (He lied about eating the last piece of cake.)

Synonyms of "To Lie" in Spanish

Here are some synonyms of the terms "acostarse" and "mentir" in Spanish, along with their meanings and definitions:

Acostarse

• Dormirse (IPA: /doɾˈmiɾse/): To fall asleep. This refers to the act of transitioning from being awake to being in a state of sleep.
• Recostarse (IPA: /ɾekoˈstaɾse/): To lie down. This implies assuming a horizontal position, usually on a bed or a surface, for relaxation or rest.
• Irse a la cama (IPA: /ˈiɾse a la ˈkama/): To go to bed. This phrase refers to the action of moving from one's current location to their sleeping area in order to sleep.
• Reposar (IPA: /ɾe.poˈsaɾ/): To rest. This term signifies taking a break from activity or exertion, often by lying down, in order to regain energy or relaxation.
• Tumbarse (IPA: /tumˈbaɾse/): To lay oneself down. This action involves assuming a reclining or supine position, typically for relaxation or sleep.

Mentir

• Faltar a la verdad (IPA: /ˈfaltar a la βeɾˈðað/): To deviate from the truth. To not tell the truth.
• Engañar (IPA: /eŋˈɡaɲaɾ/): To deceive. To make someone believe something that is not true.
• Falsificar (IPA: /falsifiˈkaɾ/): To falsify. To alter or manipulate information to make it untrue.
• Decir una mentira (IPA: /deˈθiɾ una menˈtiɾa/): To tell a lie. to intentionally provide false information.
• Tergiversar (IPA: /teɾxiβeɾˈsaɾ/): To twist. To distort the meaning of something, often with the intention of misleading.

—The noun, adjective, and adverb forms of “to lie” (lie, liar, lied, lying, lyingly) are analyzed in other MostUsedWords.com blog posts.