Common mistakes english speakers make when learning spanish

Learning spanish, or any other language, can be an experience full of discoveries, but also of challenges. Along the way, it is not uncommon for some English speakers to encounter common mistakes that can inadvertently hinder their progress.

However, identifying and overcoming these obstacles will not only bring greater confidence and accuracy in handling the language to any learner who is immersed in this wonderful language, but also great satisfaction.
For this reason, Spanish25′ has prepared this guide for you to identify the most common mistakes when learning spanish and get down to business. Let’s get to it!

Incorrect pronunciation
Spanish pronunciation is one of the first challenges for any student. But…, why?
Unlike English, vowels in spanish have consistent sounds, therefore, letters like “r” and “rr” require articulation in their pronunciation differently. Let’s look at it more precisely to understand it better:
Vowel sounds: vowels in spanish (a, e, i, o, u) are always pronounced the same, unlike in English, where they change.
– The “r” sound: The “r” in spanish is a soft vibrant, while the “rr” is pronounced with a strong vibrant sound. So, if you practice these words with the “rr” sound; such as “perro” or “carro”, you will sharpen your register as an English speaker.

Our recommendation: focus on pronouncing each letter clearly, and use online pronunciation guides to improve accuracy.

Watch out for the gender of words

This is where it gets tricky! In spanish, every word has gender, yes, even objects have “he” or “she”! Which means that the article changes (we use “el” or “la”) and, therefore, adjectives also have to agree. Here are some examples:
– Typical mistakes: many people mess up with the famous “el” and “la” or end up combining adjectives and nouns that don’t match, like saying “el casa” instead of “la casa”.
– Words with unexpected gender: some nouns surprise us, like “agua,” which, although it is feminine, we use “el” to sound better; we say “el agua fría” and not “la agua fría”.
Pro tip: Learn a few tricks, such as that words ending in -o- are usually masculine and words ending in -a- are feminine, so you’ll find it easier to get the hang of it!

Ignoring conjugations: the tangle of verbs

Let’s talk about conjugations! This topic is one of the most convoluted when learning spanish.
Unlike English, here verbs are adapted according to who is speaking and the tense in which they are speaking. If you overlook these conjugations, you can get into communication trouble like you wouldn’t believe.
– Common mistakes: many students stick with the infinitive, and fall into using words like “comer” instead of “yo como.” No! You should always conjugate, though keeping in mind that it’s also easy to fall into the trap of misconjugating verbs.
– The “ser” and “estar” dilemma: English speakers often confuse “ser” and “estar.” Although they both mean “to be,” they are used in quite different situations, and using the wrong one can change the meaning of the sentence.
Tip: Start by learning the present tense conjugations and familiarize yourself with the difference between “ser” and “estar.” Feel free to practice putting those verbs into sentences; it will help you remember how to use them like a true pro!

The game of “you” and “you”

Here comes another conundrum! In spanish, you have to know how to address people. Yes, we know this can be shocking. Don’t worry, we’ll explain it to you.
You have “tú” for informal moments and “usted” for when you need to get serious. Mixing these two can make you sound a bit rude or, on the contrary, too formal.
– Common mistakes: if you say “tú” to a stranger or someone older, watch out! It can sound wrong in some contexts. And using “you” with friends can make the conversation feel like a business meeting and during free time, no one wants that.
– Regional differences: in some countries, like Colombia, “usted” is used a lot, even among friends and family. Whereas, in other places, like Argentina, it’s more common to use “vos” instead of “tú.” We know, spanish from Spain, spanish from America and even dialects can bring headaches.
Another super tip: familiarize yourself with the customs of the region you are in and practice using “tú” and “usted” in your conversations. It will help you gain confidence and make your conversations flow much better.

Our recommendation: remember that mastering spanish requires constant practice and that making mistakes is part of the learning process. So use every mistake as an opportunity to improve.
Recognizing the common mistakes we plan to make – incorrect pronunciation, direct translations, gender confusion, verb conjugation and informal treatment – will encourage you to speak more confidently.