vortäuschen

Vortäuschen is a German verb meaning to feign, to pretend, or to present something as true when it is not. It denotes deliberately causing another person to believe a falsehood by depicting a state or fact in a misleading way. The action is typically described with phrases such as "jemandem etwas vortäuschen" or "vorzutäuschen, dass…", and covers a range of situations from feigning illness to feigning knowledge or feelings. The noun form is die Vortäuschung, referring to the act itself.

Etymology and syntax: The verb is built from vor- plus täuschen; the prefix can be separated in main clauses: "Er täuscht vor, krank zu sein." In fixed expressions, "Vortäuschung" is common in legal or medical contexts as well as in everyday language.

Usage and connotation: Vortäuschen carries a negative connotation of intentional deception. Its seriousness depends on the context and potential harm, from minor social manipulation to fraud or false reporting. In literature, journalism, or law, the term is used to describe deliberate misrepresentation, whether for personal gain, sympathy, or other motives. Related terms include lügen (to lie), vorgeben (to pretend or to pose as), and Täuschung (deception).