equivoca
eh-kee-VOH-kah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ella siempre se equivoca en los cálculos difíciles.
A2She always makes mistakes in the difficult calculations.
Si usted equivoca el camino, llámenos.
B1If you (formal) confuse the path, call us.
El informe equivoca los datos de ventas.
B2The report confuses (misstates) the sales figures.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive
When you want to say 'someone makes a mistake,' you almost always use the reflexive form: 'se equivoca'. If you omit the 'se,' it usually means 'someone confuses something else' (e.g., 'equivoca el nombre').
Spelling Change Rule
To keep the hard 'k' sound of the 'c' in the infinitive, the spelling changes to 'qu' whenever the ending starts with 'e' (like in the preterite 'yo' form or the present subjunctive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'se'
Mistake: "Él equivoca mucho."
Correction: Él se equivoca mucho. (The reflexive 'se' is essential when the person is making the mistake themselves.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Confirmation
Use the question '¿Me equivoco?' (Am I mistaken?) when you want to check if you are right about something.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: equivoca
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'equivoca' to mean 'He is wrong'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'equivoca' and 'está equivocado'?
'Equivoca' (usually 'se equivoca') is the *action* of making a mistake ('He makes a mistake'). 'Está equivocado' is the *state* of being wrong ('He is wrong'). Both are correct, but the verb form ('se equivoca') emphasizes the action or process of erring.
Why does the spelling change in the subjunctive (e.g., 'equivoque')?
Spanish verbs ending in -car (like equivocar) change the 'c' to 'qu' before the vowel 'e' to preserve the hard 'k' sound. If it stayed 'ce,' it would sound like 's' or 'th' (depending on the region).