Significado
To deceive or mislead someone, often cunningly.
Contexto cultural
In Germany, 'Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser' (Trust is good, control is better). Being led 'hinters Licht' in business is seen as a major failure of due diligence. The concept of 'Licht' (light) as 'Vernunft' (reason) is central to the German Enlightenment (Aufklärung). To lead someone away from the light is to lead them away from reason. Germany has very strong consumer protection laws (Verbraucherschutz). Phrases like 'hinters Licht führen' are common in media reports about shady companies. Directness is valued. If you suspect someone is leading you 'hinters Licht', it is culturally acceptable in many contexts to address it directly rather than being 'polite'.
Use the Passive
It is very common to use this in the passive: 'Ich fühle mich hinters Licht geführt' (I feel deceived). It sounds more natural than just saying 'He lied to me'.
Don't say 'hinter das'
Even though 'hinter das' is technically correct, using it instead of 'hinters' makes you sound like a textbook rather than a native speaker.
Significado
To deceive or mislead someone, often cunningly.
Use the Passive
It is very common to use this in the passive: 'Ich fühle mich hinters Licht geführt' (I feel deceived). It sounds more natural than just saying 'He lied to me'.
Don't say 'hinter das'
Even though 'hinter das' is technically correct, using it instead of 'hinters' makes you sound like a textbook rather than a native speaker.
Serious Accusation
Be careful using this with friends. It implies they planned to trick you, which is a stronger accusation than just saying they were wrong.
Teste-se
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'hinters Licht führen'.
Ich habe das Gefühl, dass du mich _________ _________ _________.
In this idiom, the contraction 'hinters' (hinter + das) is the standard and most natural form.
Was bedeutet der Satz: 'Der Chef hat die Mitarbeiter hinters Licht geführt'?
Wähle die richtige Bedeutung:
The idiom means to deceive or mislead someone.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
A: Warum bist du so wütend auf Max? B: Er hat mir versprochen, das Geld zurückzugeben, aber er ist einfach weggefahren. Er hat mich total _________ _________ _________.
The perfect tense is required here: 'hat... geführt'.
Welche Situation passt zu 'jemanden hinters Licht führen'?
Wähle die passende Situation:
This is a clear case of intentional deception for profit.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosIch habe das Gefühl, dass du mich _________ _________ _________.
In this idiom, the contraction 'hinters' (hinter + das) is the standard and most natural form.
Wähle die richtige Bedeutung:
The idiom means to deceive or mislead someone.
A: Warum bist du so wütend auf Max? B: Er hat mir versprochen, das Geld zurückzugeben, aber er ist einfach weggefahren. Er hat mich total _________ _________ _________.
The perfect tense is required here: 'hat... geführt'.
Wähle die passende Situation:
This is a clear case of intentional deception for profit.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt's not 'rude' in terms of being a swear word, but it is a serious accusation. You are telling someone they are a deceiver.
Yes, but usually with a smile. 'Du hast mich aber ganz schön hinters Licht geführt!' can be used for a successful April Fool's prank.
'Lügen' is just the act of telling a lie. 'Hinters Licht führen' is the whole process of misleading someone, often involving actions or hiding facts.
Because 'Licht' needs an article (das), and in this idiom, the preposition and article always merge into 'hinters'.
Yes, very often! It's a common way to describe fraudulent behavior or misleading marketing.
Yes: 'Ich habe mich hinters Licht führen lassen' (I let myself be tricked).
Not necessarily, though it often is. It can be about emotions, information, or directions too.
Not directly from this idiom, but you would use 'die Irreführung' or 'die Täuschung'.
Not at all. It is used daily in newspapers, TV shows, and conversations.
Use the passive: 'Ich wurde hinters Licht geführt.'
Frases relacionadas
jemanden an der Nase herumführen
similarTo lead someone by the nose/make a fool of them.
jemanden übers Ohr hauen
similarTo rip someone off.
jemandem einen Bären aufbinden
similarTo tell someone a tall tale.
jemandem reinen Wein einschenken
contrastTo tell someone the plain, unvarnished truth.
