Inklingo

How to Say "misunderstanding" in Spanish

English → Spanish

malentendido

mah-lehn-tehn-DEE-dohmalentenˈdido

nounB1general
Use 'malentendido' when the misunderstanding arises from a communication breakdown or a difference in how people interpret words or situations.
Two cartoon characters, one holding a red square and the other holding a blue circle, looking confusedly at each other, representing a communication error.

Examples

Creo que esto fue un simple malentendido y podemos resolverlo.

I think this was a simple misunderstanding and we can resolve it.

Tenemos que aclarar el malentendido sobre la hora de la cita.

We have to clear up the misunderstanding about the appointment time.

Hubo un malentendido grave entre los dos equipos.

There was a serious mix-up between the two teams.

Gender Rule

Since 'malentendido' ends in '-o', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it (e.g., 'el malentendido', 'un malentendido').

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hice un malentendido.”

Correction: Tuvimos un malentendido or Hubo un malentendido. (Use 'tener' (to have) or 'haber' (there was/were) to describe the existence of the mix-up, not 'hacer' (to make/do).)

equivocación

nounA2general
Use 'equivocación' when someone has simply gotten the wrong idea or made a factual error in their understanding, often a personal mistake rather than a communication issue.

Examples

Lo siento, fue una pequeña equivocación.

I'm sorry, it was a small mistake.

Malentendido vs. Equivocación

Learners often use 'equivocación' for any kind of misunderstanding. Remember that 'malentendido' is specifically for errors in communication or interpretation between two or more people, while 'equivocación' is more about a personal factual error or getting the wrong idea.

Related Translations

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