Meaning and Usage
The verb "欺く" (あざむく) means "to deceive" or "to cheat." It is a formal and somewhat literary term often used in contexts involving trickery, fraud, or misleading someone intentionally. It can apply to deceiving others or even oneself.
Common Contexts
- Deceiving others through lies or trickery.
- Being misled by appearances or false impressions.
- Self-deception, such as hiding true feelings.
Collocations and Patterns
- 人を欺く (ひとをあざむく): to deceive people.
- 外見に欺かれる (がいけんにあざむかれる): to be deceived by appearance.
- 自分を欺く (じぶんをあざむく): to deceive oneself.
Register and Nuance
"欺く" is more formal and literary than everyday words like "だます". It often appears in written language, news reports, or serious discussions about fraud or deception. Using it in casual conversation might sound stiff or overly serious.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "欺く" with "騙す" (だます), which also means "to deceive." While similar, "騙す" is more common in daily conversation, and "欺く" carries a stronger nuance of intentional, often sophisticated deception. Use "欺く" when emphasizing the cunning or serious nature of the deception.