Common Mistakes English Speakers Make in Spanish
The classic traps — ser/estar, tener, false friends — said the way Spaniards actually say them.
English speakers in Spain fall into the same holes: 'estoy caliente' for 'I'm hot', 'embarazada' for embarrassed, 'actualmente' for actually, 'preguntar' for asking for things. Spaniards are kind about it, but fixing these lifts your Spanish instantly. These cards follow a learner whose language partner corrects him over coffee, at a bar and on the phone.
- 1
Estoy de acuerdo contigo.
I agree with you.
- 2
Tengo treinta años.
I'm thirty.
- 3
Abre la ventana, que tengo calor.
Open the window, I'm hot.
- 4
Me da muchísima vergüenza.
I'm so embarrassed.
- 5
Estoy un poco constipado.
I've got a bit of a cold.
- 6
Echo de menos a mi familia.
I miss my family.
- 7
Oye, ¿te puedo hacer una pregunta?
Hey, can I ask you a question?
- 8
Le pedí la cuenta al camarero.
I asked the waiter for the bill.
- 9
No me di cuenta de que era tan tarde.
I didn't realise it was so late.
- 10
Actualmente trabajo en un bar.
I'm currently working in a bar.
- 11
En realidad soy de Leeds.
Actually, I'm from Leeds.
- 12
Llevo dos años viviendo aquí.
I've been living here for two years.
- 13
Me duele la cabeza.
My head hurts.
- 14
Estoy aburrido, ¿hacemos algo?
I'm bored, shall we do something?
- 15
La peli tuvo mucho éxito.
The film was a big hit.
- 16
Te presento a mi amigo Diego.
Let me introduce you to my friend Diego.
- 17
Voy a volver a intentarlo.
I'm going to try again.
- 18
He quedado con Ana mañana a las ocho.
I'm meeting Ana tomorrow at eight.
- 19
¡Tengo muchas ganas de ir a la sierra!
I really can't wait to go to the mountains!
- 20
Depende del tiempo.
It depends on the weather.