What does it mean word for word?
Literally, La regué means "I watered it" (referring to a feminine object like a plant).
Which one should you use?
You might use Metí la pata to express the same idea informally or La cagué to express a more vulgar sense of "I screwed up". In more formal situations, you would use Cometí un error or Lamento profundamente mi equivocación.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
La regué is colloquial and should be avoided in highly formal or professional settings. Instead, use Cometí un error (I made a mistake) or Pido disculpas por mi error (I apologize for my mistake).
Is it said differently in some regions?
La regué is a common idiomatic way to say "I messed up" in Mexico and several Central American countries. In Spain, you might say la he liado or la he pifiado to express having made a significant mistake. In some Latin American countries, the phrase metí la pifia can also be used to express having messed up.
How do you pronounce it?
/la ɾeɡe/
Did you know?
- While La regué is common in Mexico, using it in Spain might lead a listener to think you are actually talking about gardening, as regar primarily means 'to water'.
- In Spain, the phrase la he liado uses a verb that also describes the act of rolling a cigarette. The mistake is viewed as a tangled mess that is hard to undo.
- If you use the phrase Metí la pata, you are linguistically acting like an animal that has accidentally stepped into a trap or a mess with its paw.
Examples in context
- Lo siento, la regué con el pedido.I'm sorry, I messed up the order.
- No debí decir eso, la regué.I shouldn't have said that, I messed up.
- La regué al enviar el correo.I messed up when I sent the email.
Example conversation
Lucía tells Alejandro she forgot their anniversary.
- LucíaAlejandro, la regué, olvidé nuestro aniversario.Alejandro, I messed up, I forgot our anniversary.
- AlejandroNo puede ser, ¿en serio lo olvidaste?No way, did you really forget it?
- LucíaSí, lo siento mucho, mi amor.Yes, I am very sorry, my love.
- AlejandroEstá bien, Lucía, podemos celebrarlo mañana.It is okay, Lucía, we can celebrate it tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
