Common Mistakes English Speakers Make When Learning Spanish

Learning Spanish can be quite exciting and fun, but sometimes it also comes with a few challenges—especially if your first language is English. But don’t worry! Most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look out for. 

This guide will walk you through the most common vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation errors English speakers make when learning Spanish, and give you some tips to avoid them!

Let’s get started.

Common Vocabulary Mistakes

One of the first things you’ll learn in Spanish is vocabulary. But many English speakers make small mistakes with certain words that look or sound similar to English — and those can be tricky! 

Here are some of the most common vocabulary mistakes to watch out for:

False Friends

False friends are words that look similar in English and Spanish, but they actually have different meanings. Here are some examples:

Whenever you learn a new word, it’s best to double-check with a dictionary whether it is a false friend or not. Don’t just guess based on how it looks!

Literal Translations

Trying to translate English phrases word-for-word into Spanish doesn’t always work. Spanish often uses entirely different expressions that are important to learn. For example:

These kinds of mistakes can make conversations confusing, so it’s important to learn phrases in context, not just individual words.

Grammar Mistakes to Watch Out For

Spanish grammar has its own rules that are very different from English. Here are some common grammar mistakes and helpful tips to avoid them:

Gender Confusion

In Spanish, all nouns have a gender — they’re either masculine or feminine. This is something English doesn’t have, so it can feel confusing at first. For example:

• Incorrect: la problema
• Correct: el problema (the problem)

Always learn new nouns with their article. “El” goes with masculine nouns, and “la” with feminine nouns. For example:

• the book = el libro
• the table = la mesa 

Verb Conjugation

In Spanish, verbs change depending on who is doing the action. This is different from English, where verb forms often stay the same.

• Incorrect: yo hablar
• Correct: yo hablo (I speak)

You need to conjugate the verb to match the subject. And don’t forget about irregular verbs, like:

• ir (to go): yo voy
• tener (to have): yo tengo

Tip: Practice conjugation charts and look for patterns in regular verbs. Use flashcards for learning the irregular ones!

Using Subject Pronouns Too Often

In English, we always include subject pronouns (I, you, he, etc.) — but in Spanish, it’s often better to leave them out.

• Not ideal: Yo voy a la tienda.
• Correct: Voy a la tienda.(I'm going to the store) 
  The verb “voy” already tells us that the subject of the sentence is “yo,” (I) so saying “yo” again isn’t necessary.

Pronunciation Pitfalls

Even if you know the right Spanish words, how you say them can totally change the meaning. Spanish pronunciation is usually straightforward — but there are a few tricky sounds and patterns to watch out for. 

Here are two of the most common pronunciation challenges for English speakers:

Rolling the “R”

Many English speakers struggle with the rolled r sound in words like perro (dog) because they aren’t used to it. It takes practice, but it’s worth it. If you don’t roll the “r,” you might accidentally say a completely different word. For example:

• perro (dog) vs. pero (but)
• carro (car) vs. caro (expensive)
• barra (bar) vs. vara (stick)

If you're struggling with the rolled “rr”, you can practice with words like “perro,” “guitarra,” and “arroz.” It's a muscle thing — your tongue will get better with some practice!

Stress and Syllables

Word stress is also super important in Spanish. Some words change their meaning completely depending on which syllable you stress or whether an accent mark is present. For example:

• papa (potato) vs. papá (dad)
• tú (you) vs. tu (your)
• sí (yes) vs. si (if)

Accent marks in Spanish are not optional — they tell you where to stress the word. Practice listening to native speakers as much as you can and repeat after them to get used to the rhythm and stress patterns.

Commonly Mispronounced Spanish Words

Pronouncing a word in Spanish in the wrong way can confuse native speakers or make you sound less confident. Don’t worry — these are normal mistakes for English speakers, and they’re easy to fix with a little practice!

Here are some frequently mispronounced words and how to say them correctly:

Understanding Spanish Phonetics

Spanish pronunciation is actually very regular. Once you learn how each letter sounds, you can read almost any word out loud correctly.

Some basics to remember:

• “J” sounds like a harsh English “h” → jamón = hah-MOHN (ham)
• “LL” often sounds like “y” → llave = YAH-veh (key)
• “V” is softer than in English → vivir = bee-BEER (to live)
• Each vowel always sounds the same:
  • A = ah
  • E = eh
  • I = ee
  • O = oh
  • U = oo

Practicing phonics can help you speak more clearly and confidently.

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Cultural Context and Language Use

Learning a language isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules — it’s also about understanding how people actually use the language in real life. If you ignore cultural context, you might say something that sounds awkward, confusing, or even rude — without realizing it!

Let’s review a few ways you can avoid this:

Formal vs. Informal “You”

In English, we only use “you” for everyone. But in Spanish, there are two different ways to say “you,” depending on who you’re talking to:

• tú (informal) — for friends, family, children.
• usted (formal) — for strangers, elders, or authority figures (teachers, bosses, etc.)

Using the wrong form can sound rude or overly distant. If you’re not sure which to use, it’s best to start with usted — it’s safer to be too polite than too casual. As you get to know someone, they might invite you to “tutear” them (use tú instead of usted).

Idioms and Expressions

Every language has its own sayings — and if you try to translate them word for word, they usually don’t make sense! These are called idioms, and Spanish is full of them.

Here are a couple of fun examples:

“Estar en las nubes”

• Literal translation: To be in the clouds.
• Actual meaning: To be daydreaming or not paying attention.

“No tener pelos en la lengua”

• Literal translation: To have no hairs on the tongue.
• Actual meaning: To be very direct or say exactly what you think.

As you can see, the literal translations sound quite strange — but once you have some practice learning them in context and understanding they mean as complete phrases, you’ll be able to use them all the time in Spanish conversations.

Tips for Avoiding Common Mistakes

By now you might be wondering: How can I learn all of these rules? Don’t worry! Now we will share with you some easy ways to improve your Spanish and avoid common errors:

• Practice every day: Even 10 minutes of practice a day is better than no practice at all.
• Listen to native speakers: If you don’t know any, you can still learn through music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, etc.
• Use flashcards: Include articles (el/la).
• Read aloud: To improve pronunciation.
• Use apps: Like the Promova app to keep the motivation to practice going.
• Repeat full phrases: Not just single words, as it will help you understand the language in context.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: They help you learn!

Master Spanish with Promova: Your Go-To App and Grammar Insights

If you're looking for a fun and easy way to avoid common mistakes in Spanish, the Promova app is here to help!

With Promova, you can:

• Learn Spanish grammar and vocabulary step by step.
• Practice real conversations with built-in speaking tools.
• Get help with pronunciation and word stress.
• Explore lessons that explain grammar in simple ways.
• Learn phrases you’ll actually use in real life.

Whether you're a beginner or want to fix bad habits, Promova offers tools that make Spanish clear, simple, and fun.

Final Thoughts

Making mistakes is a natural part of learning any new language — including Spanish. The important thing is to keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the process. The more you listen, speak, read, and use the language, the faster you’ll improve.

With helpful tools like Promova, useful tips, and a little patience, you’ll become more confident in Spanish every day. ¡Buena suerte! Good luck!