error
/eˈroɾ/masculine
The Spanish word for 'error' is error. Wiktionary also lists yerro and trabacuenta.
Meaning: mistake (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| error | /eˈroɾ/ | masculine |
| yerro | /ˈʝero/ | masculine |
| trabacuenta | /tɾabakwenta/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
error is used to denote a mistake. Instead, you 'commit' an error using the verb cometer.
Which one should you use?
While error is the standard term, you may encounter other words depending on the context. Use fallo to refer to a failure or mistake in technical or professional settings, and use equívoco when describing a mistake or misunderstanding, particularly one involving misinterpretation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term equivocación is commonly used to mean a mistake or error.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of error is errores.
How do you pronounce it?
/eˈroɾ/
Did you know?
- The term fallo creates a linguistic paradox in Spanish law because it refers to both a 'mistake' and the official 'final verdict' of a judge.
- While error denotes a mistake, the verb errar can also mean 'to miss the target' in sports or games. It describes the physical act of failing to hit a mark rather than a mental slip.
- The word equivocado is the adjective for 'wrong', but it comes from a root meaning 'to call by the wrong name'. This relates to the idea of an error being a misidentification.
Examples in context
- Se cometió un error.An error was made.This sentence shows how to use the word error.Tatoeba #1370350 by marcelostockle, translation #20879 by CM
- Has cometido un error.You made an error.Tatoeba #1053708 by Shishir, translation #69515 by CK
- Es un error de juicio.It's an error in judgment.Tatoeba #5566809 by swyter, translation #3425617 by AlanF_US
- Cometió un error en su cálculoHe made an error in his calculation
- El fallo en el sistema causó el problemaThe system failure caused the problem
- Hubo un equívoco en la traducciónThere was a mistake in the translation
- ¡Vaya metida de pata! No debí decir esoWhat a blunder! I shouldn't have said that
- Me equivoqué al elegir ese caminoI made a mistake by choosing that path
- No quiero errar en mi decisiónI don't want to make a mistake in my decision
- 56 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are reviewing a project report in an office.
- LucíaAlejandro, encontré un error en el informe.Alejandro, I found an error in the report.
- AlejandroLo siento, Lucía, fue mi error.I'm sorry, Lucía, it was my error.
- Lucía¿Puedes corregirlo ahora mismo?Can you correct it right now?
- AlejandroSí, lo arreglaré inmediatamente.Yes, I will fix it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “error” translations and entries error, yerro, trabacuenta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
