engañadorengañadora

Engañadorengañadora is a linguistic construction that combines the masculine and feminine forms of the Spanish noun engañador/engañadora to refer to a person who deceives without specifying a gender. It is not a standard term in Spanish dictionaries and is most often found as part of discussions about gender-inclusive language or as a stylistic device in inclusive writing.

Origin and meaning

The base comes from the verb engañar, with the agentive suffixes -dor (masculine) and -dora (feminine). The fused form mirrors efforts to address gender neutrality in contexts where a specific gender is unknown or where both masculine and feminine subjects are intended to be included. Because it is not widely codified, the meaning remains essentially the same as enganador/engañadora: a person who deceives, misleads, or commits fraud.

Usage and alternatives

Engañadorengañadora is considered nonstandard in everyday writing. In formal contexts, preferred options include using the masculine or feminine form according to the referent (el engañador, la engañadora) or using neutral constructions such as “la persona que engaña” or “una persona que engaña.” Common inclusive alternatives include “engañador/a” or “engañadores y engañadoras.” When clarity is needed, rephrasing to avoid gender specification is advisable.

See also

Engañador, engañadora, engaño, lenguaje inclusivo.