Inklingo

confundir

kohn-foon-DEER/koɱfunˈdiɾ/

confundir means to mistake in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to mistake, to mix up

Also: to confuse
VerbA2regular ir
A child holding two different red fruits, looking at them with a puzzled expression as if trying to decide which is which.
gerundconfundiendo
past Participleconfundido
infinitiveconfundir

📝 In Action

Siempre confundo a los gemelos.

A1

I always mistake the twins for each other.

Es fácil confundir el azúcar con la sal.

A2

It is easy to mix up sugar and salt.

No me confundas con mi hermano mayor.

B1

Don't mistake me for my older brother.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • despistar (to mislead)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • confundir conto mistake for (to confuse with)
  • confundir los términosto mix up the terms

to baffle, to bewilder

Also: to obscure
VerbB1regular ir
A person standing in front of three identical paths in a green forest, scratching their head in confusion.
gerundconfundiendo
past Participleconfundido
infinitiveconfundir

📝 In Action

Sus explicaciones técnicas solo sirven para confundir al cliente.

B1

His technical explanations only serve to baffle the client.

No quiero confundirte con demasiados detalles.

A2

I don't want to confuse you with too many details.

La nueva ley confunde a los ciudadanos.

B2

The new law bewilders the citizens.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesconfundieran
yoconfundiera
confundieras
vosotrosconfundierais
nosotrosconfundiéramos
él/ella/ustedconfundiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesconfundan
yoconfunda
confundas
vosotrosconfundáis
nosotrosconfundamos
él/ella/ustedconfunda

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesconfundieron
yoconfundí
confundiste
vosotrosconfundisteis
nosotrosconfundimos
él/ella/ustedconfundió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesconfundían
yoconfundía
confundías
vosotrosconfundíais
nosotrosconfundíamos
él/ella/ustedconfundía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesconfunden
yoconfundo
confundes
vosotrosconfundís
nosotrosconfundimos
él/ella/ustedconfunde

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "confundir" in Spanish:

to baffleto bewilderto confuseto mistaketo obscure

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: confundir

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I mistake the key for the coin'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From Latin 'confundere', which literally means 'to pour together' (con- 'together' + fundere 'to pour'). Imagine pouring two different liquids into one cup—it becomes hard to tell them apart!

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: confoundFrench: confondrePortuguese: confundir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'confundir' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ir in all tenses.

How do I say 'I am confused'?

While 'confundir' means 'to confuse', to say you are confused, you use the adjective: 'Estoy confundido' (masculine) or 'Estoy confundida' (feminine).

Can I use 'confundir' for people and objects?

Yes! You can use it to mistake a person for someone else or to mix up two objects like keys or folders.