5 Common Spanish Mistakes English Speakers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Are you learning Spanish but find yourself stumbling over certain words or phrases? You're not alone! I myself am a native Spanish speaker, but since moving to Surrey when I was 26 years old, I've noticed that many English speakers struggle with similar challenges.

In this blog , we'll explore the top 5 Spanish mistakes that English speakers often make and provide easy-to-follow tips to overcome them.

1. Confusing "Ser" and "Estar"

Both "ser" and "estar" translate to "to be" in English, but they're used in different contexts in Spanish.

• Ser: Used for permanent or inherent characteristics

• Estar: Used for temporary states or conditions
  

Example:

• Correct: "Soy alto" (I am tall - permanent trait)

• Correct: "Estoy cansado" (I am tired - temporary state)
  

Tip: Remember, if it's a permanent trait, use "ser". If it's temporary or changeable, use "estar".

2. Misusing Gender in Spanish Nouns

Unlike English, Spanish nouns have genders (masculine or feminine), which can be tricky for English speakers.

Common Mistakes:

• Saying "la problema" instead of "el problema"

• Using "el mano" instead of "la mano"
  

Tip: Learn the gender of nouns as you learn the words themselves. Pay attention to common endings (-o for masculine, -a for feminine) but be aware of exceptions.

3. Incorrect Pronunciation of the Letter 'H'

In Spanish, the 'H' is always silent, unlike in English where it can be pronounced.

Example:

• "Hola" is pronounced "oh-la", not "hoh-la"
  

Tip: When you see an 'H' in Spanish, pretend it's not there when pronouncing the word.

4. Overusing Subject Pronouns

In Spanish, subject pronouns (yo, tú, él, ella, etc.) are often omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates who is performing the action.

Example:

• Instead of "Yo hablo español", simply say "Hablo español"
  

Tip: Practice conjugating verbs without using pronouns. Only use them for emphasis or clarity.

5. Direct Translation of Idioms

Translating English idioms directly into Spanish often leads to confusion or unintended humour.

Example:

• "It's raining cats and dogs" doesn't translate to "Está lloviendo gatos y perros"
  

Tip: Learn Spanish idioms and their meanings rather than trying to translate English ones directly.

Conclusion

Mastering a new language (especially Spanish!) takes time and practice. By being aware of these common mistakes, you're already on your way to becoming a more proficient Spanish speaker. Remember, making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Keep practicing, and don't be afraid to use your Spanish skills in real-life situations!

Want to improve your Spanish and avoid these common pitfalls? Book a lesson with me either online, or in Surrey - including Haslemere, Liphook, Fernhurst  Grayshott.