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 spend / to distribute
Both verbs can describe deliberate deception. „Sich ausgeben als“ specifically targets a false identity or role, while „vortäuschen“ more generally means simulating something that is not true. Use „sich ausgeben als“ for an assumed person or role and „vortäuschen“ for other false impressions.
Der Betrüger täuschte vor, den verlorenen Geldbeutel gefunden zu haben.
The con artist pretended to have found the lost wallet.
Der Betrüger gab sich als Polizist aus.
The con artist passed himself off as a police officer.
