Verb

betrügen

Translation

to deceive, to cheat, to defraud, to be unfaithful

Er hat seine Geschäftspartner betrogen.

He deceived his business partners.

Sie betrog ihn um sein ganzes Geld.

She cheated him out of all his money.

Er hat seine Frau betrogen.

He cheated on his wife.

((sb.)) to deceive/cheat (sb.) He cheated everyone.

((j-n)) ((um et4)) to cheat (sb.) out of (sth.) She cheated him out of his inheritance.

Synonyms: täuschen (to deceive), hintergehen (to betray); Antonyms: ehrlich sein (to be honest)

From the prefix 'be-' (acting upon something) and 'trügen' (to deceive), related to the old word for 'trick'.

Think of 'betray'. The sound is somewhat similar and the meaning of betraying trust is central to 'betrügen'.