Spanish word

equivocar

Pronunciation

IPA/ekiβoˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbbe mistaken

Example

Me equivoqué en la respuesta.

I was mistaken about the answer.

Illustration for equivocar (be mistaken)

More examples

Es fácil equivocar el número cuando hablas deprisa.

It's easy to dial the wrong number when you speak quickly.

Core concept

Two road signs pointing to opposite towns with their labels swapped.

Common phrases

  • equivocar la respuesta

    give the wrong answer

  • equivocar el número

    dial the wrong number

  • equivocar el camino

    take the wrong road

Similar words

equivocarse: An action or thought ends up wrong or in a mistaken state.
confundir: Separate things get mixed so they become indistinguishable.
meter la pata: A careless, often noticeable blunder occurs.
errar: A judgment is wrong or an intended result is missed.

Definition in Spanish

Cometer un fallo o confundir una cosa con otra al hablar, elegir o actuar; normalmente se emplea en forma pronominal, equivocarse, para indicar que alguien ha errado.

Word origin

The verb comes from medieval Latin aequivocare (aequus "equal" + vocare "to call"), which originally meant "to call by the same name" and now shifts to the sense "to confuse" or "to make an error".

Usage tips

  • Equivocar is a false friend with English equivocate, which means "speak evasively", so the words are not interchangeable.

Other meanings

  • make a mistakeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • equivocaciónmistakenoun
  • equivocadomistakenadjective

Word lists with this word