deception / illusion
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deception / illusion
The act of deliberately misleading someone or creating a false impression. Also the state of being mistaken.
Der Zaubertrick beruhte auf einer geschickten optischen Täuschung.
The magic trick was based on a clever optical illusion.
delusion
A false idea or mistaken belief that a person holds to be true.
Er lebte lange in der Täuschung, dass Geld allein glücklich macht.
For a long time, he lived under the delusion that money alone makes you happy.
'Die Täuschung' (deception/illusion) is derived from the verb 'täuschen' (to deceive / to be mistaken). It can describe both the active action of deceiving someone ('jemanden täuschen') and the state of being mistaken ('sich täuschen').
Seine Freundlichkeit war nur Täuschung, um an ihr Geld zu kommen.
His friendliness was just deception in order to get her money.
You can often recognize the meaning from the verb: If something 'auf einer Täuschung beruht' (is based on a deception/illusion), it means misleading someone. If someone 'in einer Täuschung lebt' (lives under a delusion), it means a mistaken belief.
Der angebliche Lottogewinn beruhte auf einer Täuschung.
The supposed lottery win was based on a deception.
When it is about deliberate misleading, 'Täuschung' (deception/illusion) is often combined with adjectives such as 'optisch' (optical), 'akustisch' (acoustic), or 'geschickt' (clever/skillful).
Spiegel können eine optische Täuschung erzeugen und einen Raum größer wirken lassen.
Mirrors can create an optical illusion and make a room appear larger.
When 'Täuschung' (delusion) describes a mistaken belief, the preposition 'in' is almost always used. Typical phrases are 'in einer Täuschung leben' (to live under a delusion) or 'sich in einer Täuschung befinden' (to be under a delusion).
Er befindet sich in der Täuschung, dass er für die Prüfung nicht lernen muss.
He is under the delusion that he doesn't have to study for the exam.
fraud / cheating
„Täuschung“ generally refers to deliberately misleading someone or creating a false impression. „Betrug“ is the more specific term when the deception is intended to provide an unlawful advantage. Use „Täuschung“ without this advantage-related context; when such an advantage is being obtained, „Betrug“ is the appropriate term.
Die Täuschung durch die falsche Rechnung sollte den Kunden in die Irre führen.
The deception involving the false invoice was intended to mislead the customer.
Der Betrug sollte dem Verkäufer durch eine falsche Rechnung Geld bringen.
The fraud was intended to make money for the seller through a false invoice.
