verb
vorgeben
pretend
So tun, als ob etwas wahr ist oder als ob man etwas kann, obwohl es nicht stimmt.
The German word "vorgeben" is a separable verb meaning "to pretend," "to claim," or "to specify in advance." It is made from two parts:
- vor (prefix meaning "before" or "in front of")
- geben (verb meaning "to give")
Similar words include:
- vorspielen (to pretend or to act)
- behaupten (to assert or claim)
- ansagen (to announce or declare)
Difference:
- vorgeben often implies giving a reason or excuse that may be insincere (pretending), or stating a condition beforehand.
- behaupten is more straightforward claiming or asserting.
- vorspielen focuses more on acting or impersonating.
- ansagen emphasizes formally announcing or signaling something.
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Examples
Ich gebe vor, krank zu sein.verb
I pretend to be sick.
Er gibt oft vor, Ahnung zu haben.verb
He often pretends to have a clue.
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