欺骗 is a verb meaning 'to deceive' or 'to cheat'. It combines two characters: 欺 (qī), which conveys the idea of bullying, intimidating, or taking advantage of someone, and 骗 (piàn), which specifically means to swindle, trick, or mislead. Together, they emphasize intentional, often dishonest behavior meant to make someone believe something false for personal gain — whether financial, emotional, or social. The word carries a strong negative moral judgment and implies deliberate falsehood, not mere misunderstanding.

This term appears frequently in formal contexts like news reports, legal discussions, and moral education, but also in everyday speech when accusing someone of dishonesty. It’s commonly used with objects (e.g., 欺骗别人, 欺骗顾客) or in passive constructions (e.g., 被欺骗). Unlike milder terms like ‘mislead’, 欺骗 suggests clear intent to defraud or manipulate, and is rarely used lightly or humorously.