In 15 Seconds
- Direct way to say 'It is wrong' or 'That's incorrect'.
- Use 'Tá errado' for a more casual, everyday vibe.
- Change to 'errada' for feminine nouns like 'a resposta'.
Meaning
This is the most direct way to say 'It's wrong' or 'That is incorrect'. You use it whenever a fact, a calculation, or even a behavior doesn't match the truth or the rules.
Key Examples
3 of 6Correcting a bill at a restaurant
Desculpe, mas o valor da conta está errado.
Sorry, but the bill amount is wrong.
Helping a friend with a math problem
O resultado está errado, tente somar de novo.
The result is wrong, try adding it again.
Texting a friend about a meeting location
O endereço que você mandou tá errado!
The address you sent is wrong!
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use the 'Jeitinho' to fix things that are 'errado' without following strict rules. Pointing out something is wrong is often the start of a negotiation. Directness is more common in Portugal, but formal titles (O senhor/A senhora) are strictly used when correcting someone older or in authority. In Luanda, 'está errado' can be used very emphatically in street markets (candongas) during price haggling. Similar to Portugal, Mozambican Portuguese maintains a level of formality, often using 'não está correto' in official settings.
The 'Tá' Trick
In 90% of conversations, just say 'Tá errado'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to change the ending to 'errada' if you are talking about a feminine noun like 'pergunta' or 'resposta'.
In 15 Seconds
- Direct way to say 'It is wrong' or 'That's incorrect'.
- Use 'Tá errado' for a more casual, everyday vibe.
- Change to 'errada' for feminine nouns like 'a resposta'.
What It Means
Está errado is your go-to tool for pointing out mistakes. It comes from the verb errar (to err/to miss). You are stating that something is factually incorrect or morally off-base. It is simple, punchy, and leaves no room for confusion. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of a red 'X' on a test paper.
How To Use It
You can use it alone or with a subject. If a friend says 2+2 is 5, just say Está errado. If you want to be specific, say O endereço está errado (The address is wrong). It is very flexible. It works for math, GPS directions, or even your order at a restaurant. Just remember that errado changes to errada if the thing you are talking about is feminine.
When To Use It
Use it when you are 100% sure about a fact. It is perfect for correcting a typo in a document. Use it when the waiter brings you coffee instead of tea. It is also great for texting when a friend sends the wrong meeting time. It feels natural in almost any situation where accuracy matters.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful using this with people's feelings or opinions. If someone says they like pineapple on pizza, saying Está errado might sound a bit aggressive. In those cases, try Eu discordo (I disagree). Also, avoid saying Você está errado (You are wrong) to your boss unless you have a very close relationship. It can feel like a direct finger-point. Focus on the object being wrong, not the person.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally polite but can be very direct about facts. In Brazil, there is a famous catchphrase from a TV host: "Errou!" (You got it wrong!). It became a massive meme. While Está errado is the standard version, the culture loves a bit of drama when someone makes a silly mistake. Just don't use it to be mean; use it to be helpful!
Common Variations
You might hear Tá errado, which is the short, casual version used 90% of the time in conversation. If something is completely, hilariously wrong, you can say Está tudo errado (It's all wrong). If you want to be softer, you could say Acho que está errado (I think it's wrong). This adds a little cushion to the correction so you don't sound like a strict school teacher.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all levels of formality. The main 'gotcha' is remembering to match the gender of the adjective to the noun you are describing.
The 'Tá' Trick
In 90% of conversations, just say 'Tá errado'. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to change the ending to 'errada' if you are talking about a feminine noun like 'pergunta' or 'resposta'.
Softening the Blow
Add 'Acho que...' (I think that...) before the phrase to avoid sounding rude or aggressive.
Examples
6Desculpe, mas o valor da conta está errado.
Sorry, but the bill amount is wrong.
A polite way to bring up a mistake in a professional setting.
O resultado está errado, tente somar de novo.
The result is wrong, try adding it again.
Common helpful usage between peers.
O endereço que você mandou tá errado!
The address you sent is wrong!
Uses the casual 'tá' instead of 'está'.
Meu Deus, está tudo errado aqui!
My God, everything is wrong here!
Used humorously when looking at a chaotic scene.
O que você fez com ele está muito errado.
What you did to him is very wrong.
Used here for moral judgment rather than a factual error.
A data no contrato está errada.
The date on the contract is wrong.
Note the feminine 'errada' to match 'a data'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'errado' (errado, errada, errados, erradas).
As respostas do teste estão _______.
'Respostas' is feminine and plural, so 'errado' must become 'erradas'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a friend they are wrong in Brazil?
Escolha a opção mais natural:
'Eu acho que' softens the sentence, and 'tá' is the common informal contraction.
Complete the dialogue at the restaurant.
Cliente: Garçom, a conta _______. Eu não comi esse prato.
'Conta' is feminine, and we use 'estar' for a temporary state.
Match the phrase to the context.
1. Está errado mentir. 2. O GPS está errado. 3. Você está redondamente errado.
These represent the three main ways 'errado' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAs respostas do teste estão _______.
'Respostas' is feminine and plural, so 'errado' must become 'erradas'.
Escolha a opção mais natural:
'Eu acho que' softens the sentence, and 'tá' is the common informal contraction.
Cliente: Garçom, a conta _______. Eu não comi esse prato.
'Conta' is feminine, and we use 'estar' for a temporary state.
1. Está errado mentir. 2. O GPS está errado. 3. Você está redondamente errado.
These represent the three main ways 'errado' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but it's blunt. 'Você está errado' is 'You are wrong'. 'Você está enganado' is more polite.
'Errado' is common and neutral. 'Incorreto' is formal and academic.
'É errado' is for permanent/moral rules (e.g., 'Killing is wrong'). 'Está' is for specific instances.
You say 'Tem algo de errado' or 'Algo está errado'.
It's not slang, just a very common informal contraction used by everyone in Brazil.
Related Phrases
Estar enganado
similarTo be mistaken
Estar certo
contrastTo be right
Cometer um erro
builds onTo make a mistake
Dar errado
specialized formTo go wrong / To fail
