Blog, 24/02/2025
Moving to Barcelona (Spain) is an exciting adventure for any expat, and one of the most rewarding parts is immersing yourself in the local culture. Talking Spanish is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the people and the city itself.
While it is a relatively accessible tongue, it also has its fair share of pitfalls that often trip up newcomers. From false cognates to cultural misinterpretations, avoiding certain mistakes will help you sound more fluent and integrate more smoothly into the city’s life.
Here are five common blunders that every expat makes when learning a new language – and how to avoid them.
1. Confusing Mistakes: Words That Don’t Mean What You Think
One of the most frequent mistakes in Spanish that expats make is assuming that similar-looking words have the same meaning as in English. These false cognates, or “false friends”, can lead to embarrassing and even hilarious misunderstandings.
For example:
- “Embarazada” does not mean “embarrassed”—it means “pregnant.” If you say, “Estoy embarazada” instead of “Estoy avergonzado/a,” you might surprise your Spanish friends.
- “Actual” means “current” and not “actual.” Instead of saying “actual,” use “real” or “verdadero.”
- “Sensible” means “sensitive” and not “sensible.” If you want to say “sensible,” use “sensato.”
- “Asistir” does not mean “to assist”—it means “to attend.” If you say “Voy a asistir a mi amigo,” thinking it means “I will assist my friend,” you’re actually saying, “I will attend my friend,” which doesn’t make sense. Instead, use “Ayudar” for “assist” (Voy a ayudar a mi amigo).
- “Constipado” does not mean “constipated”—it means “having a cold.” If you tell someone “Estoy constipado/a,” they will think you have a cold, not digestive issues. To say “constipated,” use “estreñido/a”.
- “Librería” does not mean “library”—it means “bookstore.” If you ask “¿Dónde está la librería?” thinking you’re looking for a library, you’ll be directed to a bookstore. The correct word for “library” is “biblioteca.”
- “Ropa” does not mean “rope”—it means “clothing.” Saying “Necesito ropa para arreglar esto” (“I need ropa to fix this”) might confuse people since ropa refers to clothes, not rope. The correct word for “rope” is “cuerda”.
- “Éxito” does not mean “exit”—it means “success.” If you say “Busco el éxito,” you’re saying “I’m looking for success,” not “I’m looking for the exit.” The correct word for “exit” is “salida.”
- “Molestar” does not mean “to molest”—it means “to bother.” “No me molestes” simply means “Don’t bother me,” not anything inappropriate. “To molest” in Spanish would be “abusar”.
- “Introducir” does not mean “to introduce (a person)”—it means “to insert.” If you say “Voy a introducirte a mi amigo,” it sounds very odd because it means “I’m going to insert you into my friend.” The correct verb for introducing a person is “presentar” (Voy a presentarte a mi amigo).
- “Emocionante” does not mean “emotional”—it means “exciting.” If you say “La película fue muy emocionante,” you’re saying “The movie was very exciting,” not “very emotional.” To say “emotional,” use “emocional.”
How to avoid these errors: Before using a word that looks familiar, double-check its meaning in context. Keeping a list of false friends handy can prevent misunderstandings.
2. Using "Ser" and "Estar" Incorrectly
Many expats try to translate sentences word-for-word from English into Spanish, often resulting in awkward phrases that native speakers wouldn’t use. Spanish has a different sentence structure and often requires a more natural way of phrasing things.
Examples of bad translations:
- “Estoy emocionado por verte” instead of “Tengo ganas de verte” (“I am excited to see you”).
- “Voy a tomar una siesta” instead of “Voy a echarme una siesta” (“I am going to take a nap”).
How to avoid this mistake: Instead of thinking in English and translating, try immersing yourself by listening to native speakers and mimicking their phrasing
3. Overusing Direct Translations from English
Many expats try to translate sentences word-for-word from English into Spanish, often resulting in awkward phrases that native speakers wouldn’t use. Spanish has a different sentence structure and often requires a more natural way of phrasing things.
Examples of bad translations:
- “Estoy emocionado por verte” instead of “Tengo ganas de verte” (“I am excited to see you”).
- “Voy a tomar una siesta” instead of “Voy a echarme una siesta” (“I am going to take a nap”).
How to avoid this mistake: Instead of thinking in English and translating, try immersing yourself in this new language by listening to native speakers and mimicking their phrasing.
4. Misusing "Por" and "Para"
The distinction between “por” and “para” is another source of confusion for Spanish learners. Though both words translate as “for,” they have different meanings and uses.
- Por is used for reasons, durations, and exchanges (e.g., “Gracias por tu ayuda” – “Thanks for your help”).
- Para is used for goals, recipients, and deadlines (e.g., “Este regalo es para ti” – “This gift is for you”).
Confusing these can create misunderstandings. Saying “Trabajo para mi jefe” (I work for my boss) is different from “Trabajo por mi jefe” (I work on behalf of my boss).
How to avoid this slip: Learn common phrases using “por” and “para” and practice them in real-life conversations.
5. Ignoring Formality: "Tú" vs. "Usted"
Spanish, like many languages, has formal and informal ways of addressing people. Using “tú” (informal) when you should use “usted” (formal) can be seen as impolite, especially when speaking with older people or in professional settings.
- Use “tú” when talking to friends, family, and peers.
- Use “usted” for showing respect to elders, authority figures, or in formal situations.
Some regions, like Andalucía, are more relaxed with formal speech, while in Latin America, “usted” is more commonly used even in casual conversations.
How to avoid this mistake: When in doubt, start with “usted” until the person signals that “tú” is acceptable. Observing how native speakers address each other can also be helpful.
6. Bonus track: The differences between Catalan and Spanish
While Spanish is the dominant language in Barcelona, Catalan holds an important place in daily life, and understanding the local language can help expats integrate more easily into the city.
However, alongside Spanish, learning Catalan can sometimes add a layer of confusion. Many expats find themselves tangled in both languages, not knowing when to use one or the other. Though Catalan might seem like a challenge, it’s not as difficult as it seems once you understand some of the key differences. Here are a few situations you need to be aware of:
- Confusing Catalan Words with Spanish Words:
Catalan shares many similarities with Spanish, but there are important differences. For example, the word “carrer” in Catalan means “street,” while in Spanish, it’s “calle.” Mixing up these everyday terms can cause confusion, especially when locals are speaking in their native language. - Overusing Spanish for Basic Catalan Phrases:
Many expats feel more comfortable speaking Spanish, even when they’re in a setting where Catalan is spoken. Although it’s common to hear both tongues in Barcelona, speaking in Catalan, especially for greetings or basic exchanges, will be appreciated. For example, instead of saying “Hola, ¿cómo estás?” try “Hola, com estàs?” for a more authentic touch. - Pronunciation Differences:
Pronunciation in Catalan can be tricky for Spanish speakers, especially when it comes to certain vowel sounds. For instance, the letter “a” in Catalan is often pronounced more openly than in Spanish, and the “ll” sound in Catalan is different from its Spanish counterpart. Being aware of these subtleties will help you sound more natural when speaking. - Forgetting About Local Catalan Expressions:
Just like any tongue, Catalan has its own set of idiomatic expressions that are commonly used in everyday conversations. Phrases like “Què tal?” (How’s it going?) or “Moltes gràcies” (Thank you very much) are simple but important to learn and use.
Final Thoughts
Learning a new language takes time, but avoiding these common pitfalls in Spanish will make your journey smoother. False cognates, verb confusion, direct translations, preposition mistakes, and formality missteps are all part of the learning process.
Do you want to improve your Spanish in Barcelona? Join one of our courses at BCN Languages and speak with confidence!
By practicing regularly, immersing yourself in Spanish-speaking environments, not getting too confused with Catalan and staying aware of these five common mistakes in Spanish made by expats, you’ll gain confidence and sound more natural over time.
Extra tip from BCN Languages: Practice Makes Perfect!
Don’t be afraid to make errors when speaking a new tongue! Every expat struggles with it and native speakers will appreciate your effort, either in Spanish or Catalan. The more you speak, listen, and engage, the faster you’ll plunge into the culture of the city of Barcelona. ¡Buena suerte! and Bona sort! in your journey.
