Spanish Conversation · Level 157
30 words
Spanish word
artificio
Pronunciation
IPA/aɾtiˈfiθjo/
Meaning
- masculine nounploy
Example
Descubrieron su artificio.
They discovered his ploy.
More examples
La campaña usó un artificio publicitario para aumentar las ventas.
The campaign used an advertising ploy to increase sales.
Core concept
A deliberately crafted, clever trick intended to achieve an objective.
Common phrases
artificio publicitario
advertising ploy
sencillo artificio
simple ploy
Similar words
engaño: Falsifies or conceals facts to produce a dishonest impression of reality.
truco: Relies on a simple, often playful trick to fool someone briefly.
artimaña: Sets up a cunningly devised contrivance or scheme to deceive others.
ardid: Plots a shrewd, calculated ruse or maneuver to secure a desired objective.
Definition in Spanish
Recurso astuto o truco para lograr un objetivo, con un matiz más culto que 'truco'.
Word origin
From Latin artificium (art- 'skill' + -ficium 'making'), originally 'artful workmanship' that later came to mean a contrived stratagem.
Usage tips
- The word is cognate with English artifice but in Spanish it often sounds more formal or critical than truco, so it commonly appears in writing or commentary rather than casual talk.
Other meanings
- deceptionnoun
- contrivancenoun
Opposites
- sinceridadsinceritynoun
- honestidadhonestynoun
Related words
- artificiosoartfuladjective
- artificiosamenteartfullyadverb