engaña

Engaña is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb engañar, meaning to deceive or to mislead. It can also function as the affirmative informal singular command (tú) meaning “deceive!” The related forms include engañar (infinitive), engaño (noun: deception or hoax), and engañarse (reflexive: to deceive oneself or to be mistaken).

Usage and meaning: Engaña describes the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true. It requires a direct object to indicate who is being deceived, as in engaña a alguien. It can also be used reflexively to express deception of oneself or mistaken belief, as in se engaña. In everyday language, it appears across journalism, literature, and conversation.

Examples:

- Él engaña a sus clientes con promesas falsas.

- No te dejes engañar por esas ofertas.

- Se engañó al pensar que ganaría.

Etymology and related terms: Engaña derives from the noun engaño, which denotes deception or a hoax. Related words include engañoso (deceptive) and engañar (to deceive). The terms are common in Spanish-speaking contexts and carry negative connotations when describing deceit.

See also: engaño, engañoso, engañar, engañarse.