engañaban

The verb *engañaban* is the third-person plural imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb *engañar*, which means "to deceive" or "to trick." In the context of the imperfect tense, *engañaban* refers to repeated or ongoing actions in the past, suggesting that the deception was habitual or continuous during a specific period.

The imperfect tense is commonly used to describe actions that were in progress, habitual behaviors, or ongoing situations without specifying a clear beginning or end. For example, in the sentence *"Ellos engañaban a sus amigos con historias falsas"* ("They were deceiving their friends with false stories"), the focus is on the repeated nature of the deception rather than a single event.

The verb *engañar* has several related forms and conjugations, including the present tense (*engañan*), the preterite (*engañaron*), and the conditional (*engañarían*). Its usage extends beyond literal deception, often appearing in idiomatic expressions or metaphorical contexts, such as *"engañar el hambre"* ("to fool hunger," meaning to eat something to satisfy hunger temporarily).

In Spanish grammar, *engañaban* follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ar verbs in the imperfect tense, ending in *-aban*. This form is part of a larger set of verbs that describe past actions, often contrasting with the preterite tense, which typically marks completed actions.

The verb *engañar* can also be used reflexively (*engañarse*), meaning "to deceive oneself" or "to be mistaken." For example, *"Se engañaban sobre las consecuencias de sus acciones"* ("They were deceiving themselves about the consequences of their actions"). This reflexive use highlights self-delusion or misunderstanding.