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Outside the expression 'Der Schein trügt' (appearances are deceiving), the verb 'trügen' (to deceive) is considered outdated or poetic.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 deceive / to be mistaken
„Täuschen“ can generally mean creating a false impression and can also be used with an impersonal subject. „Trügen“ has the same basic idea, but in modern German it occurs almost exclusively in the fixed expression „Der Schein trügt“ (appearances are deceiving). For freely formulated sentences, „täuschen“ is usually the more suitable choice.
Das Haus wirkt ruhig, aber der Schein trügt.
The house looks peaceful, but appearances are deceiving.
Die ruhige Fassade täuschte über die großen Probleme im Haus hinweg.
The calm facade concealed the serious problems in the house.
