What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb cometí (the first-person singular preterite form of cometer, meaning "to commit") and the noun phrase un error (meaning "an error"). Literally, it translates to "I committed an error".
Which one should you use?
While cometí un error is a direct way to say "I made a mistake", the reflexive verb me equivoqué is a very common, slightly more idiomatic way to express that one has erred or was mistaken.
Is it said differently in some regions?
La regué is a colloquial phrase used in Latin American Spanish to mean I messed up.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb cometí is in the preterite tense, which is used to indicate a completed action in the past.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb hacer (to make) to say hice un error, but in Spanish, the correct verb to use with error is cometer.
Did you know?
- If you are speaking to someone in a very casual setting in parts of Latin America, you might hear someone say they metieron la pata, which literally means 'they put their foot in it'.
- If you want to say you 'messed up' in Mexico, you can use the colloquialism la regué, which literally means 'I watered it'.
- The verb cometer is used for both mistakes and crimes, which can make cometí un error sound more serious or formal than me equivoqué.
Examples in context
- Sé que cometí un error.I know I made a mistake.This sentence is useful for expressing awareness of a mistake using cometí un error.Tatoeba #2412404 by marcelostockle, translation #2375990 by CK
- Cometí un error enviándolo o algo.I made a mistake in sending it or something.This sentence is useful for describing the context of a mistake using cometí un error.Tatoeba #1637345 by teskmon, translation #1354422 by Ricardo14
- Cometí un error.I made a mistake.This sentence is a simple way to admit a mistake using cometí un error.Tatoeba #613932 by Leono, translation #433678 by CK
- Disculpe, cometí un error en el informe enviado ayer.Excuse me, I made a mistake in the report I sent yesterday.
- Perdón por mi equivocación al no cumplir con la entrega a tiempo.I apologize for my mistake in not meeting the deadline.
- ¡Ay, lo siento! Metí la pata al contarle tu secreto.Oops, sorry! I messed up by telling your secret.
- Perdóname, la regué al romper tu lámpara favorita.Forgive me, I messed up by breaking your favorite lamp.
- Lo siento mucho, la cagué al decir eso.I'm really sorry, I screwed up by saying that.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are reviewing a project report.
- MateoCreo que cometí un error en el cálculo.I think I made a mistake in the calculation.
- Sofía¿Dónde está el problema, Mateo?Where is the problem, Mateo?
- MateoEstá en la segunda página.It is on the second page.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, lo podemos arreglar ahora.Don't worry, we can fix it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
