fingir

Senses

1. 1.

   to pretend

   to act as if something is true when it is not

2. 2.

   to fake

   to feign or simulate (an emotion, illness, etc.)

3. 3.

   to pretend not to notice

   to deliberately ignore or overlook something

Examples

• "Ele fingiu estar doente para não ir à escola."

  He pretended to be sick so he wouldn't go to school.

• "Ela fingiu não me ver quando passei por ela."

  She pretended not to see me when I walked by her.

• "Não adianta fingir - eu sei que você mexeu no meu celular."

  It's no use pretending-I know you touched my phone.

Usage

A common, informal verb frequently used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. Often takes an infinitive complement (fingir ser, fingir estar) or a direct object (fingir doença, fingir interesse). Synonyms include simular and aparentar.