to deceive
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to deceive
To create a false impression or deceive someone. Today, the verb is used almost exclusively in the expression 'der Schein trügt' (appearances are deceiving).
Er wirkt sehr selbstsicher, aber der Schein trügt.
He seems very self-confident, but appearances are deceiving.
Today, this verb is used almost only in the fixed expression 'Der Schein trügt' (appearances are deceiving). It means that things are not as they appear at first glance.
Das Haus sieht von außen alt aus, aber der Schein trügt.
The house looks old from the outside, but appearances are deceiving.
Outside the expression 'Der Schein trügt' (appearances are deceiving), the verb 'trügen' (to deceive) is considered outdated or poetic. In modern everyday language, it is not actively used to form new sentences.
Sein Lächeln war freundlich, doch sie ahnte, dass der Schein trügt.
His smile was friendly, but she sensed that appearances were deceiving.
'Trügen' (to deceive) is the old form and the root of more familiar words such as 'betrügen' (to cheat/deceive) and 'der Betrug' (fraud). This connection helps you understand the meaning of deception.
Er sah so ehrlich aus, aber der Schein trog gewaltig.
He looked so honest, but appearances were very deceptive.
to lie
'lügen' and 'trügen' can both have to do with deception. But the difference is important: 'lügen' is something a person does deliberately when they say something false. 'trügen' more often means that something creates a false impression. Today, 'trügen' is used almost only in the fixed expression 'der Schein trügt' (appearances are deceiving). Learners may confuse the words because both fit the idea of untruth. In practical terms: a person 'lügt'; an impression or 'der Schein' 'trügt'.
Das Haus sieht klein aus, aber der Schein trügt.
The house looks small, but appearances are deceiving.
Bitte lüg nicht, wenn du den Bericht noch nicht gelesen hast.
Please don't lie if you haven't read the report yet.