Did you know that you can request posts about things you want to learn? It’s easy – just leave a comment or join our Facebook community and connect with us there. We received a request from a reader who wanted to know more about the verb pretender, so let’s take a look.

1. Pretender [to try, to intend]

The verb pretender is actually a false cognate for English speakers, because it does not mean pretend in the sense of faking or acting. In Portuguese, it means to try or to intend to.

Examples:

Eu pretendo estudar biologia. I intend to study biology.

Ele pretende mudar logo. He intends to move soon.

Pretendemos casar o ano que vem. We intend to get married next year.

2. Fingir [to pretend]

If the verb you were looking for is “to pretend,” this is the one you want. Fingir means to pretend to be or do something, in the sense of acting, faking, or feigning.

Examples:

Ela só está fingindo ser professora. She’s just pretending to be a teacher.

Eles fingiram chorar. They pretended they were crying.

Não quero fingir mais. I don’t want to pretend anymore.

3. Brincar [to pretend – child’s play]

There’s a third verb you may want to know about when it comes to pretending. Brincar is to pretend in the sense of when children play make believe or pretend.

Brincar de pirata – pretend to be pirates

Brincar de princesa – pretend to be princesses

Brincar de super-herói – pretend to be a superhero