to simulate
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to fake
To pretend to have a particular physical or emotional state, for example an illness or a feeling.
Er hat nur eine Erkältung simuliert, um nicht zur Prüfung gehen zu müssen.
He only faked having a cold so he wouldn't have to go to the exam.
Verbs ending in '-ieren' are almost always borrowed from another language and follow a fixed pattern: they are regular, inseparable, and form the perfect tense with 'haben' and the past participle ending in '-t' (simuliert).
Wir haben am Computer simuliert, wie sich das Klima verändern wird.
We used a computer to simulate how the climate will change.
The object of the verb reveals the meaning. If it refers to a personal state (illness, feeling), it means 'vortäuschen' (to fake / pretend). If it refers to a process or system, it means 'nachbilden' (to recreate / simulate).
Er simulierte Begeisterung, obwohl ihm das Geschenk nicht gefiel.
He faked enthusiasm, even though he didn't like the gift.
In this meaning, 'simulieren' (to fake) is often combined with negative or desired states. Typical phrases are: eine Krankheit simulieren (to fake an illness), Schmerzen simulieren (to fake pain), Interesse simulieren (to fake interest), or einen Orgasmus simulieren (to fake an orgasm).
Der Angeklagte simulierte eine psychische Störung, um einer Strafe zu entgehen.
The defendant faked a mental disorder in order to avoid punishment.
This meaning is common in science and technology. You can 'einen Prozess simulieren' (simulate a process), 'einen Flug simulieren' (simulate a flight), 'eine Notfallsituation simulieren' (simulate an emergency situation), or 'Bedingungen simulieren' (simulate conditions).
Mit dem Programm können Architekten simulieren, wie das Licht in ein Gebäude fällt.
With the program, architects can simulate how light enters a building.
to mark / pretend
'markieren' and 'simulieren' can both mean that someone only acts as if something were real. In this meaning, 'markieren' sounds more colloquial and often negative, for example when someone is only pretending to have pain or an illness. 'simulieren' can also mean this faking of a condition, but it sounds more neutral or technical. In addition, 'simulieren' has another important meaning: you can use a model or computer to recreate a real situation, for example for training. The words can be confused especially with illness or feelings. If it is about a model or a technical recreation, only 'simulieren' fits.
Im Kurs simulieren die Teilnehmenden ein Gespräch mit einem Kunden.
In the course, the participants simulate a conversation with a customer.
Er markiert krank, weil er heute keine Lust auf das Training hat.
He is pretending to be sick because he doesn't feel like going to training today.