to pretend / fake
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to pretend / fake
To act as if something were the case, even though it is not true, in order to deceive someone.
Er täuschte eine Krankheit vor, um nicht zur Arbeit gehen zu müssen.
He faked an illness so he wouldn't have to go to work.
'Vortäuschen' (to pretend/fake) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vor' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Fußballspieler täuschte ein Foul vor.
The soccer player faked a foul.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'vor' and the verb 'täuschen' (to deceive someone). It means to put a false fact 'before' someone's eyes in order to deceive them.
Sie täuschte Interesse vor, um höflich zu sein.
She pretended to be interested in order to be polite.
The verb 'vortäuschen' (to pretend/fake) always requires an accusative object. So you have to say WHAT is being pretended or faked.
Er täuschte einen Notfall vor, um früher gehen zu können.
He faked an emergency so he could leave earlier.
Abstract things or states are often pretended or faked. Typical combinations are: 'eine Krankheit vortäuschen' (to fake an illness), 'Gefühle vortäuschen' (to fake feelings), 'Sicherheit vortäuschen' (to project confidence), or 'ein Verbrechen vortäuschen' (to fake a crime).
Obwohl sie Angst hatte, täuschte sie nach außen Sicherheit vor.
Although she was afraid, she projected confidence outwardly.
to do
'so tun als ob' (to act as if) and 'vortäuschen' both have to do with something not being real. 'so tun als ob' is a normal, simple phrase and can also be meant harmlessly, for example when playing or out of politeness. 'vortäuschen' is stronger: it means that someone intentionally creates a false impression, often in order to deceive others. If the deception is important, 'vortäuschen' fits better. If you are only saying that someone is behaving differently, 'so tun als ob' sounds more natural.
Der Mitarbeiter täuscht Krankheit vor, weil er nicht zur Arbeit gehen will.
The employee fakes being sick because he does not want to go to work.
Tom tut so, als ob er die Antwort schon kennt.
Tom acts as if he already knows the answer.