7 Common Mistakes in Spanish That Native Speakers Make

Are you a native Spanish speaker who wants to improve your writing and pronunciation? If so, then you need to be aware of the common mistakes in Spanish that even native speakers make.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes in Spanish and provide you with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Confusing "ser" and "estar"

"Ser" and "estar" are two verbs that are often confused by native Spanish speakers. "Ser" is used to describe permanent characteristics, while "estar" is used to describe temporary states.

For example, you would use "ser" to say "I am tall" (Soy alto), but you would use "estar" to say "I am happy" (Estoy feliz).

Mistake	Correct	Example
Using "estar" to describe a permanent characteristic	Using "ser"	Estoy alto
Using "ser" to describe a temporary state	Using "estar"	Soy feliz

2. Mispronouncing the letter "r"

The letter "r" is one of the most difficult sounds to pronounce in Spanish. Native Spanish speakers often pronounce it too strongly, which can make it difficult to understand.

To pronounce the letter "r" correctly, you need to vibrate your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The vibration should be gentle, and the sound should be clear and distinct.

Mistake	Correct	Example
Pronouncing the letter "r" too strongly	Pronouncing the letter "r" gently	Rrrrrrr

3. Using the wrong preposition

Prepositions are words that are used to connect nouns and pronouns to other words in a sentence. There are many different prepositions in Spanish, and each one has its own specific meaning.

Native Spanish speakers often make the mistake of using the wrong preposition. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.

Mistake	Correct	Example
Using "a" instead of "de"	Using "de"	Voy a la escuela
Using "de" instead of "a"	Using "a"	Vengo de la escuela

4. Making grammatical errors

Grammatical errors are another common problem for native Spanish speakers. These errors can include using the wrong tense, the wrong mood, or the wrong verb form.

Grammatical errors can make your writing and speaking difficult to understand. They can also make you sound unprofessional.

Mistake	Correct	Example
Using the wrong tense	Using the correct tense	Hablo español
Using the wrong mood	Using the correct mood	Quiero hablar español
Using the wrong verb form	Using the correct verb form	Hablé español

5. Using slang

Slang is a type of informal language that is used by native speakers of a language. It can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand, and it can also be considered unprofessional.

Native Spanish speakers should avoid using slang in their writing and speaking. Instead, they should use standard Spanish.

Mistake	Correct	Example
Using slang	Using standard Spanish	Guapo
Using standard Spanish	Using slang	Hermoso

6. Not using punctuation correctly

Punctuation is an important part of writing. It helps to make your writing clear and easy to understand.

Native Spanish speakers often make the mistake of not using punctuation correctly. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.

Mistake	Correct	Example
Not using commas	Using commas	Me gusta comer, dormir y viajar
Not using periods	Using periods	Me gusta comer. Duermo mucho. Viajo a menudo.

7. Not proofreading your work

Proofreading is an important step in the writing process. It allows you to catch and correct any errors before you submit your work to others.

Native Spanish speakers often make the mistake of not proofreading their work. This can lead to embarrassing mistakes.

Please proofread your work carefully before you submit it to others. This will help you to make sure that your writing is clear, correct, and professional.

Success Stories

One student who used the tips in this article saw a dramatic improvement in their Spanish writing and pronunciation.

Another student who used these tips was able to get a job as a Spanish teacher.

A third student who used these tips was able to pass the DELE exam with flying colors.

Conclusion

If you are a native Spanish speaker, then it is important to be aware of the common mistakes in Spanish that you might make. By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your writing, pronunciation, and overall communication skills.

7 Common Mistakes in Spanish That Native Speakers Make