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A2 adjective 9 min de lecture

equivocado

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces equivocado en 30 secondes

Explication equivocado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn equivocado as a simple way to say 'wrong' or 'mistaken.' The most important thing to remember is that it usually goes with the verb estar. You can use it in very basic situations, like when you realize you've made a mistake in class: 'Lo siento, estoy equivocado.' You should also learn the phrase 'número equivocado' (wrong number) for phone conversations. At this stage, focus on the masculine form equivocado and the feminine form equivocada. Don't worry about complex grammar; just use it to express that a person or a simple choice is not correct. For example, if a friend says it's Tuesday but it's actually Wednesday, you can say: 'No, estás equivocado.' It's a very useful word for basic daily interactions where errors happen frequently.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use equivocado more flexibly. You should ensure that the adjective always matches the person or object you are talking about in gender and number. For example, if you are talking about 'las llaves' (the keys), you would say 'las llaves equivocadas' (the wrong keys). You also start using it with the preposition de to specify what the mistake is about, such as 'Estás equivocado de dirección' (You are wrong about the address). You will hear this word in shops, restaurants, and on the street. It is also important at this level to distinguish between estar equivocado (being mistaken) and equivocarse (the action of making a mistake). A2 learners should be comfortable using both. For instance, 'Me equivoqué' (I made a mistake) vs 'Estoy equivocado' (I am currently wrong).

At the B1 level, you should be able to use equivocado in more abstract and argumentative contexts. You might use it to discuss opinions or more complex situations. For example, 'Creo que el autor está equivocado en su planteamiento' (I think the author is wrong in his approach). You should also be familiar with common idioms and phrases, such as 'ir por el camino equivocado' (to be on the wrong track/path) used metaphorically for life choices or projects. At this level, you should also start recognizing synonyms like incorrecto or erróneo and know when to choose equivocado over them. You are expected to use the word correctly in various tenses, such as 'Habría estado equivocado si no hubiera revisado los datos' (I would have been wrong if I hadn't checked the data).

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At the B2 level, you understand the subtle nuances of equivocado compared to its synonyms. You know that equivocado often implies a subjective error or a personal mistake, whereas erróneo is more formal and objective. You can use equivocado to express strong disagreement in a debate: 'Su interpretación de los hechos es profundamente equivocada.' You also become proficient in using the word in complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive: 'No creo que estés equivocado, pero prefiero verificarlo.' You should also be aware of how the word is used in different Spanish-speaking regions, noticing that while the core meaning is the same, the frequency and accompanying gestures might vary. You can use the word to describe complex social dynamics, like 'estar en el bando equivocado' (to be on the wrong side).

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At the C1 level, your use of equivocado is precise and sophisticated. You can use it to critique philosophical arguments or complex scientific theories. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to concepts of ambiguity and 'equal voice.' You might use it in literary analysis to describe a 'narrador equivocado' (a mistaken or unreliable narrator). At this level, you can also manipulate the word for rhetorical effect, perhaps using it in a series of adjectives to emphasize the scale of an error: 'Fue una decisión precipitada, mal informada y, en última instancia, totalmente equivocada.' You are also comfortable with the noun form equivocación and can discuss the concept of human fallibility with ease, using phrases like 'la posibilidad de estar equivocado es lo que nos hace humanos.'

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over equivocado and its entire semantic field. You can use it with total native-like fluency in any context, from high-level academic writing to the most informal slang. You understand the historical development of the word from the Latin aequivocus and can discuss how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use the word with subtle irony or sarcasm. You are also aware of very rare or archaic uses of the word in classical Spanish literature. Your ability to use equivocado allows you to navigate delicate social situations where you must point out an error without causing offense, choosing exactly the right tone and surrounding vocabulary. You can also compare and contrast the concept of 'being wrong' in Spanish with other languages you know, discussing the cultural implications of the word's usage.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

equivocado en 30 secondes

Equivocado means 'wrong' or 'mistaken' and is primarily used with the verb 'estar' to describe people who have made an error.
It is an adjective that must agree in gender (o/a) and number (s) with the noun it modifies in the sentence.
Commonly used in phrases like 'número equivocado' (wrong number) or 'camino equivocado' (wrong path) to indicate misdirected choices.
It differs from 'malo' (morally bad) and 'incorrecto' (factually incorrect data), focusing more on personal mistakes or incorrect selections.

The Spanish word equivocado is an essential adjective for any Spanish learner because it captures the universal human experience of being mistaken or incorrect. Primarily used to describe a person who has made an error in judgment or a factual claim, it also extends to objects or situations that are not the ones intended. In English, we often translate it as "wrong," "mistaken," or "incorrect." However, its usage in Spanish is nuanced, particularly regarding the verb it pairs with. Most frequently, you will find it following the verb estar, indicating a state of being rather than a permanent characteristic. This distinction is crucial for English speakers who are used to the multi-purpose word "wrong."

Grammatical Function: As an adjective derived from the past participle of the verb equivocar, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: equivocado (masculine singular), equivocada (feminine singular), equivocados (masculine plural), and equivocadas (feminine plural).

When you use this word to describe a person, you are saying they have reached a false conclusion. For instance, if someone thinks the capital of Australia is Sydney, they are equivocados. In a social context, admitting you are wrong by saying "Estoy equivocado" is a sign of humility and clarity. It is also the standard term for a "wrong number" on the telephone (número equivocado) or taking the "wrong path" (camino equivocado). This word is less about moral "wrongness" (which would be malo) and more about factual or directional error.

Perdone, creo que he marcado el número equivocado.

Furthermore, the word carries a sense of "misplacement." If you are in the wrong room, you are in the habitación equivocada. If you bought the wrong size of shoes, they are the talla equivocada. It is a very practical word used in daily life, from customer service interactions to intellectual debates. Understanding that equivocado implies a deviation from the truth or the intended target helps learners apply it correctly across various scenarios.

Social Etiquette: Correcting someone by saying "Estás equivocado" can be quite direct. In polite conversation, it is often softened with phrases like "Creo que..." (I think that...) or "Me parece que..." (It seems to me that...).

Si piensas que el examen es mañana, estás equivocado; es hoy.

The most important rule for using equivocado correctly is mastering its relationship with the verb estar. Because being mistaken is considered a state or a condition that can change, rather than an inherent quality of a person's soul, Spanish uses estar. Saying "Soy equivocado" is a common error for English speakers; it sounds like you are saying "I am the concept of wrongness," which makes little sense in Spanish. Instead, you must say "Estoy equivocado."

Gender and Number Agreement: 1. Ella está equivocada. (She is wrong.)
2. Nosotros estamos equivocados. (We are wrong.)
3. Las respuestas están equivocadas. (The answers are wrong.)

When referring to things like a telephone number, a street, or a choice, equivocado functions as a normal adjective following the noun. For example, "Tomaste el camino equivocado" (You took the wrong path). In this context, it identifies which specific object is being discussed. It is also used with the preposition de when you want to say someone is wrong "about" something. "Estás equivocado de fecha" means "You are wrong about the date." This structure is very common and idiomatic.

Elegiste la dirección equivocada en el cruce.

In more formal writing, you might see equivocado used to describe theories or arguments. "Un planteamiento equivocado" refers to a wrong approach or premise. In these cases, it behaves just like any other descriptive adjective. It is worth noting that while equivocado is common, for purely factual errors in documents or mathematics, the word incorrecto is often used as a more clinical synonym. Use equivocado when there is a sense of a person having made a mistake or a choice going awry.

Todos podemos estar equivocados a veces; lo importante es rectificar.

You will encounter equivocado in a wide variety of real-life settings. One of the most frequent places is over the phone. If someone calls you looking for a person you don't know, the standard response is "Lo siento, tiene el número equivocado" (Sorry, you have the wrong number). This is a set phrase that every learner should memorize. Similarly, in customer service, if a waiter brings the wrong dish, you might say "Esta es la mesa equivocada" or "Este es el plato equivocado."

In Media and Entertainment: In movies and TV shows, characters often use this word during dramatic revelations. "¡Estás muy equivocado si crees que te voy a ayudar!" (You are very wrong if you think I'm going to help you!) is a classic line for a protagonist or antagonist.

In academic and professional settings, equivocado appears in feedback. A teacher might tell a student, "Tu razonamiento está equivocado," pointing out a flaw in their logic. In the news, political commentators frequently use the word to criticize the policies or statements of opponents, often saying things like "El gobierno está siguiendo el camino equivocado" (The government is following the wrong path). This metaphorical use of "path" or "way" is very common in political and social discourse.

Disculpe, creo que me han dado el cambio equivocado.

On the street, you might hear it if someone is asking for directions. If you see someone looking at a map and appearing confused, you might ask, "¿Se ha equivocado de calle?" (Are you on the wrong street?). It's a word that bridges the gap between simple factual error and deep personal realization. Even in songs, particularly boleros or ballads, the theme of being "equivocado" about love is a recurring motif, where the singer laments having loved the "wrong person" (la persona equivocada).

No me mires así, sabes que estás equivocada.

One of the most frequent pitfalls for English speakers is the confusion between equivocado and other words for "wrong" like mal or incorrecto. While English uses "wrong" for almost everything, Spanish is more specific. A common mistake is saying "Mi tarea está equivocada." While understandable, a native speaker would more likely say "Mi tarea está mal" or "Mi tarea es incorrecta." Use equivocado mostly for people who are mistaken or for choices that were incorrect (wrong door, wrong number).

The Ser vs. Estar Trap: Never say "Soy equivocado." This translates to "I am an error." Always use "Estoy equivocado" to say "I am mistaken." The only exception is if you are using 'equivocado' as a modifier in a 'ser' sentence like "Es el número equivocado" (It is the wrong number), where 'ser' identifies the object.

Another error involves gender agreement. Because the word ends in '-o', many learners forget to change it to '-a' when speaking to or about a woman. "Ella está equivocado" is grammatically incorrect and sounds jarring to a native ear. Always match the ending to the subject. Similarly, when referring to plural groups, don't forget the '-s'. "Ellos están equivocados" is the correct form for a group of men or a mixed group.

Incorrect: Ella es equivocado.
Correct: Ella está equivocada.

Learners also sometimes confuse equivocado with its English cognate "equivocal." In English, "equivocal" means ambiguous or open to interpretation. In Spanish, equivocado exclusively means "wrong" or "mistaken." If you want to say something is ambiguous, use equívoco (note the accent and the different ending). This is a classic false friend that can lead to significant misunderstandings in academic or legal contexts.

¡Cuidado! No digas "estoy equivocado" si quieres decir que te sientes mal físicamente; para eso usa "me siento mal".

While equivocado is the most common way to say "mistaken," Spanish offers several alternatives depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to express precise shades of meaning. The most clinical alternative is incorrecto, which is used for data, answers on a test, or technical errors. If a computer program crashes, it might be due to an "entrada incorrecta" (incorrect entry).

Comparison of Terms: Erróneo: More formal than equivocado. Used for theories, beliefs, or concepts. "Una idea errónea" (A mistaken idea).
Desacertado: Specifically refers to a bad decision or an unfortunate comment. "Un comentario desacertado" (An ill-judged comment).
Falso: Used when something is not true or is a lie. "Un testimonio falso" (False testimony).

Another interesting alternative is errado. While very similar to equivocado, it is slightly more formal and is often used in literary or legal contexts. In some Latin American countries, errado is used interchangeably with equivocado, but in Spain, equivocado remains the dominant choice for daily speech. For a very informal way to say someone is wrong, especially in a slangy context, you might hear "Estás meando fuera del tiesto" (literally, you're peeing outside the pot), though this is much more colorful and should be used with caution!

Su conclusión fue errónea porque los datos estaban incompletos.

When talking about moral wrongness, remember to switch to malo or injusto. If a situation is unfair, it's injusto, not equivocado. If a person is "bad," they are mala. Equivocado is strictly for errors of fact, judgment, or direction. Using the right word shows that you understand the nuances of the Spanish language and the specific nature of the "wrongness" you are describing.

Ese fue un paso desacertado en su carrera política.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally described words that sound the same but mean different things (homonyms). Over time, it evolved to describe the confusion or 'mistake' that arises from such ambiguity.

Guide de prononciation

UK /e.ki.βo.ˈka.ðo/

US /e.ki.βo.ˈka.ðo/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: e-qui-vo-CA-do.

Rime avec

lado estado pasado llamado cuidado pescado pintado alado

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'qu' as 'kw' (it should be just 'k').
Pronouncing the 'v' as a strong English 'v' (it should be more like a soft 'b').
Putting the stress on the last syllable.
Making the 'd' too hard (it should be soft between vowels).
Adding a 'w' sound to the final 'o'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize as it looks like 'equivalent' but means 'wrong'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering gender and number agreement.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires soft 'v' and 'd' sounds.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation usually.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

estar malo correcto número camino

Apprends ensuite

equivocarse error erróneo acertar fallar

Avancé

ambigüedad falacia desacierto pifia errata

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

La respuesta está equivocada (feminine singular).

Estar with States

Él está equivocado (current state, not essence).

Preposition 'de' for Specification

Se equivocó de tren (wrong train).

Reflexive Verbs for Actions

Me equivoqué (I made a mistake).

Past Participles as Adjectives

Un hombre equivocado (A mistaken man).

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Exemples par niveau

Lo siento, estoy equivocado.

I'm sorry, I am mistaken.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Tienes el número equivocado.

You have the wrong number.

'Equivocado' modifies 'número'.

No, ella no está equivocada.

No, she is not wrong.

Feminine agreement: 'equivocada'.

Es el camino equivocado.

It is the wrong path.

Masculine singular agreement.

Estamos equivocados de día.

We are wrong about the day.

Plural agreement: 'equivocados'.

¿Estoy equivocado?

Am I wrong?

Question form using 'estar'.

Ese libro es el equivocado.

That book is the wrong one.

Used with 'ser' to identify the object.

Tú estás equivocada, María.

You are wrong, Maria.

Direct address with feminine agreement.

Me parece que estás equivocado de calle.

It seems to me that you are on the wrong street.

Use of 'de' to specify the error.

Ellas están equivocadas sobre el precio.

They (f.) are wrong about the price.

Feminine plural agreement.

Compré la talla equivocada de pantalones.

I bought the wrong size of pants.

Modifies 'talla' (feminine).

No quiero estar equivocado otra vez.

I don't want to be wrong again.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

Creo que has tomado la decisión equivocada.

I think you have made the wrong decision.

Perfect tense 'has tomado'.

Si buscas a Juan, estás en el piso equivocado.

If you are looking for Juan, you are on the wrong floor.

Prepositional phrase 'en el piso'.

Sus respuestas siempre están equivocadas.

His/her answers are always wrong.

Plural agreement with 'respuestas'.

Perdone, esta es la maleta equivocada.

Excuse me, this is the wrong suitcase.

Feminine singular agreement.

Si piensas que el éxito es fácil, estás muy equivocado.

If you think success is easy, you are very wrong.

Adverb 'muy' modifying the adjective.

El testigo estaba equivocado con respecto a la hora.

The witness was mistaken regarding the time.

Imperfect tense 'estaba'.

No nos habríamos perdido si no estuviéramos equivocados de mapa.

We wouldn't have gotten lost if we weren't using the wrong map.

Conditional and imperfect subjunctive.

Es fácil estar equivocado cuando no se tiene toda la información.

It's easy to be wrong when one doesn't have all the information.

Impersonal 'se'.

Muchos científicos estaban equivocados sobre esa teoría.

Many scientists were wrong about that theory.

Plural subject and adjective.

Te aseguro que no estoy equivocado esta vez.

I assure you that I am not wrong this time.

Reflexive 'asegurar'.

Parece que elegimos el momento equivocado para visitar la ciudad.

It seems we chose the wrong time to visit the city.

Preterite 'elegimos'.

Mi intuición me decía que algo estaba equivocado.

My intuition told me something was wrong.

Something ('algo') as the subject.

A pesar de sus argumentos, sigo pensando que está equivocado.

Despite his arguments, I still think he is wrong.

Gerund 'pensando' after 'seguir'.

La empresa tomó un rumbo equivocado el año pasado.

The company took a wrong direction last year.

Metaphorical use of 'rumbo'.

Dudo que el profesor esté equivocado en un asunto tan básico.

I doubt the professor is wrong on such a basic matter.

Subjunctive 'esté' after 'dudar'.

Fue un planteamiento equivocado desde el principio.

It was a wrong approach from the beginning.

Preterite 'fue' for a completed state.

Si crees que puedes engañarme, estás profundamente equivocado.

If you think you can deceive me, you are deeply mistaken.

Adverb 'profundamente'.

Las estadísticas estaban equivocadas debido a un error de muestreo.

The statistics were wrong due to a sampling error.

Causal phrase 'debido a'.

No quería admitir que estaba equivocada delante de todos.

She didn't want to admit she was wrong in front of everyone.

Infinitive 'admitir'.

Es posible que hayamos estado equivocados todo este tiempo.

It's possible that we have been wrong all this time.

Perfect subjunctive 'hayamos estado'.

Su percepción de la realidad estaba distorsionada y, por ende, equivocada.

His perception of reality was distorted and, therefore, mistaken.

Connector 'por ende'.

Resulta peligroso basar una ley en un concepto equivocado de la justicia.

It is dangerous to base a law on a mistaken concept of justice.

Infinitive subject 'basar'.

Incluso los genios pueden estar equivocados en sus predicciones.

Even geniuses can be wrong in their predictions.

Adverb 'incluso'.

La crítica literaria señaló que el autor partía de una premisa equivocada.

The literary critic pointed out that the author started from a wrong premise.

Verb 'partir de'.

No debemos permitir que un juicio equivocado arruine nuestra reputación.

We must not allow a mistaken judgment to ruin our reputation.

Subjunctive 'arruine' after 'permitir'.

A menudo, lo que consideramos correcto hoy, mañana resultará estar equivocado.

Often, what we consider correct today will turn out to be wrong tomorrow.

Future tense 'resultará'.

El diplomático se dio cuenta de que había estado equivocado respecto a las intenciones del aliado.

The diplomat realized he had been mistaken regarding the ally's intentions.

Pluperfect 'había estado'.

Es una falacia sostener un argumento basado en datos equivocados.

It is a fallacy to hold an argument based on wrong data.

Participle 'basado' as an adjective.

La ontología de su discurso se sustenta en una noción radicalmente equivocada del ser.

The ontology of his discourse is based on a radically mistaken notion of being.

Academic register.

Sería una necedad persistir en una conducta que a todas luces está equivocada.

It would be foolishness to persist in a conduct that is clearly wrong.

Idiom 'a todas luces'.

La historia ha demostrado que las mayorías pueden estar trágicamente equivocadas.

History has shown that majorities can be tragically mistaken.

Adverb 'trágicamente'.

Su análisis, aunque exhaustivo, adolece de una interpretación equivocada de las fuentes primarias.

His analysis, although exhaustive, suffers from a mistaken interpretation of primary sources.

Verb 'adolecer de'.

El paradigma vigente podría estar equivocado, abriendo paso a una revolución científica.

The current paradigm could be wrong, making way for a scientific revolution.

Gerund 'abriendo' for consequence.

No es infrecuente que los expertos estén equivocados en terrenos de alta incertidumbre.

It is not uncommon for experts to be wrong in areas of high uncertainty.

Double negative 'no es infrecuente'.

La sutileza de su error radicaba en un cálculo equivocado de las fuerzas en juego.

The subtlety of his error lay in a mistaken calculation of the forces at play.

Imperfect 'radicaba'.

Reconocer que se está equivocado es el primer paso hacia la sabiduría trascendental.

Recognizing that one is wrong is the first step toward transcendental wisdom.

Impersonal 'se' with 'estar'.

Collocations courantes

estar equivocado

número equivocado

camino equivocado

persona equivocada

momento equivocado

dirección equivocada

respuesta equivocada

idea equivocada

puerta equivocada

talla equivocada

Phrases Courantes

Me he equivocado

— I have made a mistake.

Me he equivocado de llave.

Estás muy equivocado

— You are very wrong.

Si crees eso, estás muy equivocado.

Salvo que esté equivocado

— Unless I am mistaken.

Salvo que esté equivocado, la cita es a las cinco.

No te equivoques

— Don't be mistaken / Don't get it wrong.

No te equivoques, esto no es un juego.

Por el camino equivocado

— On the wrong path (metaphorical).

Esa política nos lleva por el camino equivocado.

En el lugar equivocado

— In the wrong place.

Estaba en el lugar equivocado en el momento equivocado.

Llamar al número equivocado

— To call the wrong number.

He llamado al número equivocado tres veces.

Tomar una decisión equivocada

— To make a wrong decision.

No quiero tomar una decisión equivocada.

Estar en lo equivocado

— To be in the wrong (formal).

Reconoció estar en lo equivocado.

Sentirse equivocado

— To feel like one is wrong/out of place.

Se sentía equivocado en esa fiesta elegante.

Souvent confondu avec

equivocado vs equívoco

Means 'ambiguous' or 'misunderstanding', while 'equivocado' means 'wrong'.

equivocado vs mal

Used as an adverb or to mean 'badly', 'equivocado' is an adjective for 'mistaken'.

equivocado vs engañado

Means 'deceived' by someone else, while 'equivocado' is usually your own error.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Ir por el camino equivocado"

— To follow a course of action that will lead to failure.

Si sigues gastando así, vas por el camino equivocado.

neutral

"Dar un paso equivocado"

— To make a mistake in a process or life.

Un paso equivocado y perderemos el contrato.

neutral

"Equivocarse de medio a medio"

— To be completely and utterly wrong.

Te has equivocado de medio a medio con esa predicción.

informal

"No estar equivocado del todo"

— To be partially correct.

Bueno, no estás equivocado del todo.

neutral

"Estar más equivocado que una escopeta de feria"

— To be extremely wrong (Spanish idiom).

Ese político está más equivocado que una escopeta de feria.

informal

"Equivocar el tiro"

— To miss the mark or misjudge a situation.

Creo que has equivocado el tiro con esa crítica.

neutral

"Equivocarse de cabo a rabo"

— To be wrong from beginning to end.

Su teoría está equivocada de cabo a rabo.

informal

"Estar en el bando equivocado"

— To support the wrong side of a conflict.

Muchos se dieron cuenta tarde de que estaban en el bando equivocado.

neutral

"Equivocar las cuentas"

— To miscalculate something (literally or metaphorically).

Has equivocado las cuentas si crees que te perdonaré.

neutral

"Equivocarse de plano"

— To be totally wrong.

Se equivocó de plano al elegir a su socio.

neutral

Facile à confondre

equivocado vs Erróneo

Both mean wrong.

Erróneo is for data/ideas; equivocado is for people/choices.

Un dato erróneo vs. una persona equivocada.

equivocado vs Incorrecto

Both mean incorrect.

Incorrecto is more clinical/technical.

Respuesta incorrecta.

equivocado vs Falso

Both imply not being right.

Falso means not true/lie; equivocado means mistaken.

Testimonio falso.

equivocado vs Inexacto

Both mean not perfectly right.

Inexacto means lacking precision.

Cálculo inexacto.

equivocado vs Desacertado

Both mean a mistake was made.

Desacertado is specifically for bad choices/comments.

Comentario desacertado.

Structures de phrases

Sujeto + estar + equivocado.

Yo estoy equivocado.

Sujeto + estar + equivocado + de + sustantivo.

Estás equivocado de hora.

Sujeto + creer que + sujeto + estar + equivocado.

Creo que ella está equivocada.

Sustantivo + ser + el/la + equivocado/a.

Este es el camino equivocado.

Frase sustantivada + resultar + estar + equivocado/a.

Su teoría resultó estar equivocada.

Adverbio + equivocado/a + en + infinitivo.

Radicalmente equivocado en pensar así.

All

No + estar + equivocado.

No estoy equivocado.

All

¿Estar + sujeto + equivocado?

¿Están ustedes equivocados?

Famille de mots

Noms

equivocación (mistake)

equívoco (ambiguity/error)

Verbes

equivocar (to mistake)

equivocarse (to make a mistake)

Adjectifs

equivocado (wrong)

equívoco (ambiguous)

Apparenté

error

errar

erróneo

errado

fallo

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in daily speech and media.

Erreurs courantes

Soy equivocado. → Estoy equivocado.
Being mistaken is a state (estar), not a permanent trait (ser).
La respuesta es equivocado. → La respuesta es equivocada.
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun 'respuesta'.
Me siento equivocado. → Estoy equivocado.
If you mean you made a mistake, use 'estar'. 'Sentirse equivocado' sounds like you feel out of place.
Tengo el número incorrecto. → Tengo el número equivocado.
While 'incorrecto' is understood, 'equivocado' is the idiomatic standard for phone numbers.
Él está equivocadamente. → Él está equivocado.
Use the adjective, not the adverb, after the verb 'estar'.

Astuces

Check the Gender

Always match the ending to the subject. Maria está equivocada; Juan está equivocado.

Phone Manners

Memorize 'número equivocado'. It's the most common phrase you'll need for phone errors.

Estar is Key

Pair it with 'estar' 90% of the time. Think of it as a temporary state of being lost.

The Silent U

Remember that 'qui' is pronounced 'kee'. Never say 'kwee'.

Softening Corrections

Use 'Quizás estés equivocado' (Maybe you're wrong) to be more polite in conversation.

Formal Writing

In essays, consider using 'erróneo' for a more academic tone when talking about ideas.

Metaphorical Paths

Use 'camino equivocado' to talk about life choices, not just physical roads.

Listen for the 'v'

Don't expect a sharp English 'v'. It sounds more like a soft 'b'.

Equivalent Voices

Link the etymology 'equal voice' to the idea of confusing two things.

Admitting Errors

Practice saying 'Me equivoqué, lo siento' to build muscle memory for apologies.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'EQUIVALENT' voices. If two voices sound the same, you might pick the 'WRONG' one. Equi-vocado.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person standing at a fork in the road with a sign that has an 'X' on it, looking at a map upside down. They are 'equivocados'.

Word Web

error fallo incorrecto equivocarse desacierto pifia mentira verdad

Défi

Try to use 'equivocado' or 'equivocada' three times today: once for a wrong number, once for a wrong answer, and once to admit you were wrong.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'aequivocus', which is a combination of 'aequus' (equal) and 'vox' (voice).

Sens originel : Originally, it referred to something that could be called by the same name but had different meanings—essentially 'ambiguous'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when correcting others. Use 'Me parece que...' to soften the blow.

English speakers often use 'wrong' for both 'bad' and 'mistaken'. In Spanish, 'equivocado' is strictly for 'mistaken'.

The song 'Equivocada' by Thalía, which talks about being wrong in a relationship. Don Quijote often finds himself 'equivocado' about the reality of the windmills. Common phrase in Spanish dubs of movies: 'Has elegido el bando equivocado'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Telephone

Número equivocado
Se ha equivocado
Perdone, número equivocado
Creo que marqué mal

Directions

Camino equivocado
Calle equivocada
Giro equivocado
Dirección equivocada

Shopping

Talla equivocada
Color equivocado
Precio equivocado
Producto equivocado

Classroom

Respuesta equivocada
Fecha equivocada
Libro equivocado
Nombre equivocado

Relationships

Persona equivocada
Momento equivocado
Idea equivocada
Palabras equivocadas

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez has llamado a un número equivocado y has tenido una conversación larga?"

"¿Crees que es fácil admitir cuando uno está equivocado?"

"¿Qué haces cuando te das cuenta de que has tomado el camino equivocado?"

"¿Alguna vez compraste algo de la talla equivocada por accidente?"

"¿Cuál es la idea más equivocada que la gente tiene sobre tu país?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre una vez que estuviste equivocado sobre una persona y cómo cambió tu opinión.

Describe un día en el que todo salió mal porque tomaste una decisión equivocada por la mañana.

¿Es mejor estar equivocado y feliz, o tener razón y estar triste? Explica por qué.

Escribe una carta a tu 'yo' del pasado sobre algo en lo que estabas equivocado.

Imagina que eres un GPS que siempre da la dirección equivocada. Escribe tus instrucciones.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. You use 'estar' because being mistaken is a state. You only use 'ser' when identifying an object, like 'Es el número equivocado' (It is the wrong number).

'Equivocado' means 'mistaken' (adjective). 'Mal' usually means 'badly' (adverb) or 'bad'. You say 'Estoy equivocado' but 'Mi tarea está mal'.

You can say 'Estaba equivocado' (imperfect state) or 'Me equivoqué' (preterite action).

No. 'Equivocal' means ambiguous. In Spanish, that is 'equívoco'. 'Equivocado' means 'wrong'.

It can be blunt. It is softer to say 'Creo que te equivocas' or 'Me parece que estás equivocado'.

Not really. If you feel 'wrong' or 'bad', use 'me siento mal'. 'Equivocado' is about a factual or judgmental error.

Add an 's': equivocados (masculine) or equivocadas (feminine).

'Errado' is a synonym but more formal and less common in Spain, though used in Latin America.

It specifically means 'wrong phone number'.

Yes, 'dirección equivocada' is the standard way to say it.

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Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Translate to Spanish: 'You are wrong, Maria.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Feminine singular agreement.