mentir

/mɑ̃tiʁ/

#1519 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

to lie, to tell a lie

Word origin

From Latin mentiri ('to lie, to deceive'), thought to derive from mens ('mind'), the original sense being to invent or contrive in the mind. The same root gives English 'mendacious'.

Origin
Latin
Root
mentiri
English cognates
mendacious

Grammar

Verb type-ir irregular (3rd group)

Irregular verb. A full conjugation table for irregular verbs is coming soon. For now, use a reference like Wordreference or RAE.

Examples

' ment, trahissent .

I know he is lying, his eyes always give him away.

mens , .

Do not lie to me, I want the truth right now.

.

She lied to her parents in order to go out tonight.

mentent ' punis.

Children sometimes lie when they are afraid of being punished.

cesse.

It is better to tell the truth than to lie constantly.

Used in

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This word is part of lesson 30.