to cheat
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to cheat
To break the rules in a game, test, or competition in order to gain an unfair advantage.
Mein kleiner Bruder versucht immer, beim Kartenspielen zu schummeln.
My little brother always tries to cheat when playing cards.
If you want to say in which situation someone cheats or fudges something, use the preposition “bei” with the dative. This applies to both meanings of the word.
Er wurde erwischt, als er bei der Prüfung geschummelt hat.
He was caught cheating on the exam.
“Schummeln” (to cheat/fudge) is usually used for smaller, not very serious rule violations in everyday life. It often sounds more harmless and childlike than the word “betrügen” (to deceive/cheat).
Komm schon, beim Monopoly darf man doch mal ein bisschen schummeln!
Come on, you're allowed to cheat a little at Monopoly!
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. Words like “Spiel” (game), “Test” (test), or “Karten” (cards) point to unfair advantages. Words like “Alter” (age), “Größe” (height), or “Gewicht” (weight) point to small untruths about oneself.
Niemand mag es, wenn Mitspieler beim Kartenspiel schummeln.
Nobody likes it when other players cheat at card games.
to exaggerate
'übertreiben' and 'schummeln' can both refer to inaccurate or dishonest statements. 'übertreiben' means presenting something as bigger, worse, or more important than it really is. 'schummeln', on the other hand, means breaking rules or telling small untruths in order to look better or gain an advantage. You can 'schummeln' about your age or weight by slightly exaggerating or understating it. The words are easy to confuse because both have to do with truth. The important difference is: 'übertreiben' is about the scale of how something is presented, while 'schummeln' is about dishonesty or breaking rules.
Nele schummelt bei der Bewerbung und macht ihre Erfahrung größer, als sie ist.
Nele fudges things in her application and makes her experience sound greater than it is.
Nach dem Unfall hat Paul die Gefahr ein bisschen übertrieben.
After the accident, Paul exaggerated the danger a little.