Inklingo

How to Say "to confuse" in Spanish

English → Spanish

confundir

/kohn-foon-DEER//koɱfunˈdiɾ/

verbA2general
Use this word when you mistakenly identify one person or thing as another.
A child holding two different red fruits, looking at them with a puzzled expression as if trying to decide which is which.

Examples

Siempre confundo a los gemelos.

I always mistake the twins for each other.

Es fácil confundir el azúcar con la sal.

It is easy to mix up sugar and salt.

No me confundas con mi hermano mayor.

Don't mistake me for my older brother.

The 'Con' Connection

In English, you mistake one thing 'for' another. In Spanish, you use 'con' (with). Think of it as 'mixing one thing with another'.

The Personal 'A'

When you mistake a person for someone else, you must use the 'personal a' before that person's name, like 'Confundo a Pedro con Juan'.

Using 'para' or 'por'

Mistake: “Confundo el perro para un lobo.”

Correction: Confundo el perro con un lobo. Spanish always uses 'con' to show what you are mistaking the first thing for.

mezclar

/mess-KLAR//mesˈklaɾ/

verbB1general
Use this when you are mentally mixing up or combining different concepts, ideas, or people, often in a way that blurs distinctions.
A group of people standing in a circle, with one person gently pulling another person by the hand into the center of the group.

Examples

No me gusta mezclar los negocios con la amistad.

I don't like to mix business with friendship.

A veces mezclo los nombres de mis primos.

Sometimes I mix up my cousins' names.

Se mezcló en un problema que no era suyo.

He got mixed up in a problem that wasn't his.

Getting yourself mixed up

To say 'to get mixed up' or 'to mingle,' use the reflexive form 'mezclarse' (adding 'se' to the end).

liar

/lee-ahr//liˈar/

verbB2informal
Use this when someone's words or actions cause you to lose your train of thought or become mentally disorganized.
A character with a swirling cloud above their head and a puzzled expression.

Examples

No me líes con tantos nombres, no los recuerdo todos.

Don't confuse me with so many names; I don't remember them all.

Me he liado con las llaves y he cogido las que no eran.

I got mixed up with the keys and took the wrong ones.

¡La has liado! Esa no era la respuesta correcta.

You've messed it up! That wasn't the right answer.

Using 'Se' to show confusion

When you want to say YOU are confused, use the reflexive form: 'Me lío'. It's like saying 'I am tangling myself up'.

Confusing 'Liar' and 'Leer'

Mistake: “Estoy leado.”

Correction: Estoy liado. 'Leído' comes from 'leer' (to read). 'Liado' means you are busy or confused.

Confundir vs. Liar

Learners often use 'confundir' when they mean 'liar'. Remember, 'confundir' is for mistaking one thing for another. 'Liar' is specifically for making someone lose their train of thought or become mentally jumbled.

Related Translations

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