equivocado

/eh-kee-boh-KAH-doh/

wrong

When something is equivocado (wrong), it doesn't fit the situation, like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

equivocado(Adjective)

mA2

wrong

about a fact, opinion, or choice

Also:

mistaken

holding an incorrect belief

📝 In Action

Creo que estás equivocado. La reunión es mañana.

I think you're wrong. The meeting is tomorrow.

Tomé el autobús equivocado y llegué tarde.

I took the wrong bus and arrived late.

Marcaste el número de teléfono equivocado.

You dialed the wrong phone number.

Word Connections

Synonyms

incorrecto (incorrect)
erróneo (erroneous)

Antonyms

correcto (correct)
acertado (right, correct)

Common Collocations

estar equivocado/a – to be wrong/mistaken
el camino equivocado – the wrong way
la respuesta equivocada – the wrong answer

💡 Grammar Points

Use with 'Estar', not 'Ser'

To say someone is wrong, always use the verb 'estar' (e.g., 'Estás equivocado'). Think of being wrong as a temporary state or condition, which is what 'estar' is for.

Matches the Noun

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'equivocado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'equivocada' for feminine things (la respuesta equivocada) and 'equivocados/as' for plural things (los amigos equivocados).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: "Soy equivocado."

Correction: Estoy equivocado. Being mistaken is a state you are in, not a permanent part of who you are. That's why we use 'estar'.

Forgetting to change the ending

Mistake: "La información está equivocado."

Correction: La información está equivocada. Since 'información' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it also needs to have the feminine '-a' ending.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Gentle Way to Disagree

Saying 'Creo que estás equivocado' (I think you're wrong) is a very common and polite way to disagree with someone without being too confrontational.

A colorful illustration of a traveler standing at a fork in the road, looking confusedly at a signpost that indicates an incorrect direction towards an impassable obstacle.

If you were equivocado (mistaken) about directions, you realize you followed the wrong signpost.

equivocado(Past Participle)

mB1

mistaken

used with the verb 'haber' to talk about past actions

📝 In Action

Me he equivocado de calle.

I have taken the wrong street.

Creo que te has equivocado al juzgarla tan rápido.

I think you have made a mistake in judging her so quickly.

Nunca antes me había equivocado en un examen.

I had never made a mistake on an exam before.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

haberse equivocado – to have made a mistake

💡 Grammar Points

Team Up with 'Haber'

This form is the partner of the verb 'haber' (to have). Together, they form tenses that talk about completed actions, like 'he equivocado' (I have made a mistake).

The Ending Stays '-o'

When you use 'equivocado' with the verb 'haber', the ending always stays '-o'. It doesn't change for masculine/feminine or singular/plural. For example: 'Ella ha equivocado' and 'Ellos han equivocado'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Changing the ending after 'haber'

Mistake: "Ella se ha equivocada."

Correction: Ella se ha equivocado. When used with 'haber' to talk about a past action, the participle always ends in '-o', no matter who did the action.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: equivocado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly says 'Maria is wrong'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

equivocar(to get wrong, to mix up) - verb

equivocarse(to be mistaken, to make a mistake) - verb

equivocación(mistake, error) - noun

equívoco(ambiguous, a misunderstanding) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'estar equivocado' and 'equivocarse'?

They are very similar! 'Estar equivocado' describes the state of being wrong (e.g., 'Estoy equivocado' - 'I am mistaken'). 'Equivocarse' is the action of making the mistake (e.g., 'Me equivoqué' - 'I made a mistake'). Think of it as the state vs. the action.

Can I say 'es equivocado'?

It's very rare to use 'ser' with 'equivocado' when talking about a person. However, you might hear it when talking about an idea or action in general, like 'Es equivocado pensar así' ('It is wrong to think that way'). For beginners, it's safest to always stick with 'estar' when describing a person as wrong.