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"Pretender" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to intend", and "fingir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pretend". Learn more about the difference between "pretender" and "fingir" below.
pretender(
preh
-
tehn
-
dehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to want)
2. (to affirm) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to claim
No puedes pretender que no hay desigualdad salarial entre los hombres y las mujeres.You cannot claim that there is no wage inequality between men and women.
3. (to court)
a. to woo
En mi cultura, los hombres aún pretenden a las mujeres con ramos de rosas.In my culture, men still woo women with bouquets of roses.
fingir(
feen
-
heer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to pretend
El niño fingió estar dormido cuando su mamá abrió la puerta de su cuarto.The boy pretended to be asleep when his mom opened the door to his room.
b. to feign
Si Ana te habla de su nuevo novio, trata de fingir indiferencia.If Ana tells you about her new boyfriend, try to feign indifference.
c. to fake
Robert fingió estar lesionado para no poder jugar en el torneo.Robert faked an injury so he couldn't play in the tournament.
2. (to mimic)
b. to put on
Cuando no quiere hablar con alguien en el teléfono, Sally finge la voz de su hermana.When she doesn't want speak to someone on the phone, Sally puts on her sister's voice.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
fingirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to pretend to be
Emi se fingió dormida para no contestar a la puerta.Emi pretended she was asleep so as not to answer the door.
