10 most common mistakes when speaking Spanish

Spanish is a language with a large number of speakers worldwide, making it one of the most studied languages. However, it’s not an easy language to master, and it’s common for foreigners to make mistakes when speaking it.

In this article, we’ll talk about the 10 most common errors that foreigners make when speaking Spanish and how they can avoid them to improve their fluency.

Confusion between the sounds “b” and “v”

One of the most common errors that foreigners make when speaking Spanish is confusing the sounds “b” and “v”. In Spanish, the sounds “b” and “v” are pronounced differently and have an impact on the speaker’s comprehension. For example, in the word “vaca,” the “v” is pronounced like a soft “b.” However, in the word “boca,” the “b” is stronger.

Not pronouncing the letter “r” correctly

The letter “r” in Spanish can be difficult for foreigners, especially for those who speak English or other languages that don’t have a strong “r.” The pronunciation of the “r” in Spanish is vibrant and is produced by vibrating the tongue against the palate.

Confusion between the pronouns “tú” and “usted”

The use of the pronouns “tú” and “usted” can be confusing for foreigners, as many languages don’t have a formal and informal distinction. In Spanish, “tú” is used to refer to someone with whom there’s a close or informal relationship, while “usted” is used in formal situations or to show respect.

Errors in the conjugation of the verbs “ser” and “estar”

The verbs “ser” and “estar” are used to describe states but can be challenging for foreigners due to different conjugation forms. For example, “ser” is used to describe permanent characteristics of a person, while “estar” is used to describe a temporary state.

Confusion between the verbs “llevar” and “traer”

The verbs “llevar” and “traer” are used to indicate the direction of movement, but foreigners might confuse their usage. “Llevar” refers to taking something away from the speaker, while “traer” refers to bringing something toward the speaker.

Not distinguishing between the sounds “ll” and “y”

Distinguishing between the sounds “ll” and “y” is important in Spanish but can be challenging for foreigners, especially those who speak English or other languages that lack these sounds. “Ll” is pronounced like a soft “y,” while “y” is pronounced like a soft “i.”

Not using the articles “el” and “la” correctly

The articles “el” and “la” are important in Spanish but can be difficult for foreigners since they don’t always have equivalents in other languages. “El” is used to refer to a singular masculine noun, while “la” is used for a singular feminine noun.

Errors in subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is important in Spanish, but foreigners might make errors in correctly conjugating verbs. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and vice versa.

Incorrect use of reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used in Spanish to indicate that the action is performed on oneself. Foreigners might make errors in using them correctly. For example, “me lavo las manos” means “I am washing my hands.”

Errors in the pronunciation of accented words

The pronunciation of accented words in Spanish is important, but foreigners might make errors by not paying attention to accents. In Spanish, the position of the accent can change the meaning of a word. For example, “papa” means “potato,” while “papá” means “father.”