Learning Spanish is a fun and rewarding journey, but like any language, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or already have some experience, it’s completely normal to make mistakes along the way — in fact, it’s part of the learning process!
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common errors learners make when speaking Spanish and give you some practical tips to avoid them. Ready? ¡Vamos!
1. ❌ Mixing Up “Ser” and “Estar”
Both “ser” and “estar” mean “to be” in English — but they’re not interchangeable in Spanish. This is one of the most common pitfalls for learners.
✅ Use “Ser” for:
🔹 Identity and descriptions
Defines who or what someone or something is.
Example: Juan es médico. (Juan is a doctor.)
🔹 Permanent characteristics
Inherent qualities that are part of the person or thing.
Example: Las profesoras son altas. (The teachers are tall.)
🔹 Origin and nationality
Tells where someone or something is from.
Example: El señor Gómez es de Bolivia. (Mr. Gómez is from Bolivia.)
🔹 Profession
Describes someone’s regular job or role.
Example: Soy estudiante. (I’m a student.)
🔹 Time (hour, day, date)
Used to express the time or day.
Example: Es la una y media de la tarde. (It’s 1:30 p.m.)
✅ Use “Estar” for:
🔹 Location
Tells where someone or something is.
Example: El libro está en la oficina. (The book is in the office.)
🔹 Temporary states and conditions
Describes how someone or something is at a given moment.
Example: Las chicas están cansadas. (The girls are tired.)
🔹 Emotions and feelings
Refers to temporary emotional states.
Example: Mi perro está molesto porque lo llevé al veterinario.
(My dog is upset because I took him to the vet.)
🔹 Ongoing actions (present continuous)
Used with the gerund (-ando / -iendo) to show what someone is doing at the moment.
Example: El gato está durmiendo. (The cat is sleeping.)
Examples with a change in meaning:
- Ser aburrido = to be boring by nature
(Example: That person or thing is always boring.)
Example: Ese profesor es aburrido.
(That teacher is boring.) - Estar aburrido = to feel bored at a specific moment
(Example: A temporary feeling.)
Example: Estoy aburrido.
(I’m bored.)
📌 Tip: Think of ser as identity and estar as condition or location.
2. ❌ Forgetting Gender Agreement (El vs. La)
Spanish nouns are either masculine or feminine, and adjectives must agree with them. It’s easy to forget this rule, especially for English speakers.
- ✅ El coche rojo (The red car – masculine)
- ✅ La casa blanca (The white house – feminine)
📌 Tip: Practice with flashcards and always learn nouns with their article (el/la) to help lock in the gender.
3. ❌ Using English Word Order
Directly translating English sentences into Spanish often leads to strange or incorrect word order.
- ❌ Quiero una grande casa
- ✅ Quiero una casa grande
📌 Tip: In Spanish, most adjectives come after the noun. Start noticing this pattern when reading or listening to Spanish.
4. ❌ Literal Translations of Expressions
Idioms and expressions rarely translate word-for-word.
- ❌ Estoy caliente (This means you’re sexually aroused!)
- ✅ Tengo calor (I’m hot – temperature)
📌 Tip: Learn expressions as whole phrases, not word-by-word. Context is key!
5. ❌ Confusing Por vs. Para
Both words mean “for,” but they have different uses — and misusing them can change the meaning entirely.
- ✅ Gracias por tu ayuda. (Thanks for your help – cause or reason)
- ✅ Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you – destination or purpose)
📌 Tip: “Por” often explains the reason. “Para” explains the goal.
6. ❌ Ignoring Accent Marks
Accent marks aren’t just decorative — they can completely change the meaning of a word.
- tú (you) vs. tu (your)
- sí (yes) vs. si (if)
- papa (potato) vs. papá (dad)
📌 Tip: Start practicing with writing and reading aloud — your ear will get used to the rhythm and stress of words.
7. ❌ Overusing Subject Pronouns
In Spanish, the verb already tells you who is speaking — so you don’t always need to say “yo,” “tú,” “él,” etc.
- ✅ Hablo español (Not Yo hablo español)
📌 Tip: It’s okay to use them for emphasis, but don’t overuse them like in English.
Final Thoughts 🧠
Mistakes are a natural part of learning — and they’re actually signs that you’re trying, which is the most important thing! The key is to practice regularly, listen to native speakers, and get personal feedback from a Spanish teacher who can guide you.
Extra Tips to Avoid These Mistakes
🔊 Listen to Spanish every day: YouTube videos, podcasts, songs — surround yourself with the language as much as possible.
🗣️ Practice with a native speaker or teacher: Real conversation is the best way to learn and improve.
📝 Review your mistakes: Keep track of your common errors and actively work on correcting them.
💬 Speak without fear: Making mistakes is part of the process — don’t let them hold you back!
n my personalized online classes, I help you correct these mistakes — and many more! — while you speak and learn in a practical, hands-on way.
👉 Book your trial lesson here www.myspanishnow.com
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