The verb INGANNARE is often used in Italian and can mean many different things.
In this article, we’ll look at all its meanings and how it’s used.
Verb INGANNARE: Meanings, Uses, and Valid Alternatives
“Ingannare” means:
- To make someone believe one thing instead of another, taking advantage of their good faith for personal gain.
- To mislead someone with malice or fraud, often for one’s own benefit.
In this article, I’ll give you all the ALTERNATIVES to this verb, so you can choose the most appropriate one depending on the context and avoid sounding repetitive!
1. RAGGIRARE, CIRCUIRE
“Raggirare” and “circuire” mean to deceive someone with cunning, often to obtain something illegally.
Examples:
Il tizio non capiva che lei lo stava raggirando per sottrargli il borsellino.
[The guy didn’t realize she was deceiving him to steal his wallet.]
Se ti lasci circuire così facilmente dalle belle parole, non andrai molto lontano perché tutti ti prenderanno in giro.
[If you let yourself be charmed so easily by pretty words, you won’t get far because everyone will take advantage of you.]
2. TRUFFARE, FRODARE
To deprive someone of something through deception.
Examples:
Luca è stato truffato da un suo carissimo amico e ha dovuto vendere la sua attività.
[Luca was scammed by a very close friend and had to sell his business.]
Le fatture di quella società erano gonfiate per frodare il fisco.
[The invoices from that company were inflated to defraud the tax office.]
3. ILLUDERE
To deceive someone by making them believe something that’s not true or by creating false hopes.
Example:
Lo aveva illuso dicendo di amarlo, ma all’improvviso è scomparsa nel nulla e lui non ha più avuto sue notizie. Adesso è completamente distrutto!
[She had led him on by saying she loved him, but suddenly vanished and he never heard from her again. Now he’s completely heartbroken!]
4. ABBINDOLARE
To deceive someone using lies or tricks, making them believe something that isn’t true.
Example:
Non mi lascio mai abbindolare dagli operatori telefonici che offrono promozioni fin troppo convenienti.
[I never let myself be tricked by phone operators offering overly convenient deals.]
5. IRRETIRE
To trap or influence someone using deceit or flattery.
Example:
Non farti mai irretire da riti magici che promettono miracoli!
[Never let yourself be ensnared by magical rituals that promise miracles!]
6. ADESCARE
To lure or seduce using deceptive promises or flattery.
Example:
Il giornalista è riuscito ad adescare una vicina di casa della vittima e si è fatto raccontare dettagli che nemmeno la polizia sapeva.
[The journalist managed to lure in a neighbor of the victim and got her to reveal details even the police didn’t know.]
7. TRADIRE
To betray someone’s trust, affection, or loyalty.
Example:
Ha tradito la sua famiglia pur di raggiungere il suo obiettivo, cioè diventare Presidente del Consiglio. Chissà se se ne pente o se invece ne va fiero.
[He betrayed his family just to achieve his goal of becoming Prime Minister. Who knows if he regrets it or is actually proud of it.]
8. GABBARE
To trick or make fun of someone.
Example:
Puoi inventare tutte le migliori scuse, ma non riuscirai mai a gabbare quel poliziotto: ne sa una più del diavolo!
[You can come up with all the best excuses, but you’ll never fool that policeman – he’s sharp as a tack!]
This verb, however, is a variant commonly used in Tuscany. Did you know that?
If you want to discover more regional expressions, read the article dedicated to that topic.
One place to learn Italian
Join the LearnAmo Academy9. FUORVIARE
To lead someone down the wrong path or give them a false impression.
Example:
Le tue parole mi hanno completamente fuorviata! Ero convinta che tenessi alla nostra amicizia più che a qualsiasi altra cosa, ma adesso è evidente che mi sbagliavo… Sei semplicemente un’approfittatrice!
[Your words completely misled me! I thought you cared about our friendship more than anything, but now it’s clear I was wrong… You’re just a user!]
10. IMBROGLIARE
To cheat or deceive someone.
Example:
Non comprare più in quel negozio: il proprietario è famoso per imbrogliare i clienti sul peso dei prodotti!
[Don’t shop at that store again—the owner is known for tricking customers about product weights!]
11. FREGARE
To cheat or deceive someone, often unfairly.
Example:
Ci siamo fatti fregare dalla commessa! Quello stesso vestito costa la metà in qualsiasi altro negozio!
[The sales assistant ripped us off! That same dress is half the price in every other shop!]
12. ELUDERE
To avoid something, like a rule or duty, through cleverness or trickery.
Example:
Dopo essere riusciti a eludere le telecamere di sorveglianza, i ladri hanno rubato tre quadri dal museo. Tutti si chiedono ancora come sia stato possibile.
[After managing to evade the security cameras, the thieves stole three paintings from the museum. Everyone still wonders how it was possible.]
13. COGLIERE DI SORPRESA, SPIAZZARE
To deceive through surprise.
Example:
Ha vinto il torneo spiazzando gli avversari con una mossa improvvisa che non aveva mai fatto prima.
[He won the tournament by taking his opponents by surprise with a move he’d never used before.]
“INGANNARE” also has some alternative uses:
In its reflexive form, it can mean to deceive oneself.
1. PRENDERE UN GRANCHIO
Example:
La Gioconda non è esposta agli Uffizi, stai prendendo un granchio.
[The Mona Lisa isn’t at the Uffizi—you’re making a mistake.]
2. PRENDERE UN ABBAGLIO
Example:
Riflettici bene: sarebbe sciocco prendere un abbaglio in una situazione così importante!
[Think carefully—it would be foolish to be mistaken in such an important situation!]
Finally, “ingannare” can also mean “TO EASE or MAKE SOMETHING MORE BEARABLE.”
Examples:
Quando sei in fila in banca o al supermercato, guarda un video di LearnAmo per cercare di rendere sopportabile l’attesa!
[When you’re waiting in line at the bank or supermarket, watch a LearnAmo video to help make the wait more bearable!]
So che devi rimanere a digiuno per 8 ore, perciò prova a odorare il cibo per cercare di attenuare la fame quando ti viene.
[I know you have to fast for 8 hours, so try smelling food to ease your hunger when it hits.]
How many of these verbs did you already know? Let us know!
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