If you find yourself in a situation where you thought someone knew Spanish but they don’t, it’s helpful to know how to express your surprise or confusion. Whether you want to convey your message in a formal or informal way, Spanish offers various phrases and expressions to express your thoughts. In this guide, we will explore different options to communicate the idea of “I thought you knew Spanish” in Spanish, providing tips, examples, and even regional variations where applicable. Let’s get started!
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Formal Expressions:
When addressing someone in a formal setting, such as a professional environment or when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority, you want to use more polite language. Here are a few formal expressions to convey the sentiment “I thought you knew Spanish”:
1. Pensé que sabía español:
This is a simple and straightforward way to express your surprise. The verb “pensar” means “to think,” and “sabía” is the past tense of the verb “saber” (to know). Combine them, and you get “Pensé que sabía español” – “I thought you knew Spanish”.
Example: “Disculpe, pensé que sabía español. ¿Necesita alguna ayuda?” (“Excuse me, I thought you knew Spanish. Do you need any help?”)
2. Creí que dominaba el español:
When you want to highlight the notion of mastery or expertise, “dominar” (to master) is a suitable verb. By saying “Creí que dominaba el español,” you are emphasizing that you believed the person had a solid grasp of the language.
Example: “Señor, creí que dominaba el español. ¿Puedo asistirle en algo?” (“Sir, I thought you mastered Spanish. Can I assist you with something?”)
Informal Expressions:
In a more relaxed setting, with friends, family, or peers, you can opt for informal expressions to convey your surprise or confusion. Here are a couple of informal ways to say “I thought you knew Spanish”:
1. Pensaba que sabías español:
By using the verb “pensar” in the imperfect tense (“Pensaba”), you indicate that you used to think that the person knew Spanish. This expresses a past belief or assumption.
Example: “Tío, pensaba que sabías español. ¡Nos hubieras dicho antes!” (“Dude, I thought you knew Spanish. You should have told us earlier!”)
2. Pensé que te sabías español:
In this expression, by using the pronoun “te” before the verb, you make it evident that you were under the impression that the person knew Spanish.
Example: “¡Oye, pensé que te sabías español! ¿Cómo es que no entiendes?” (“Hey, I thought you knew Spanish! How come you don’t understand?”)
Useful Tips:
Here are a few additional tips to consider when using these expressions:
1. Adjusting Verb Tenses:
Depending on the context and the timing of your realization, you might need to adjust the verb tenses. Remember to use the appropriate tense to match the timing of your thought.
Example: “Pensé que sabía español, pero luego me di cuenta de que estaba equivocado” (“I thought he knew Spanish, but then I realized I was wrong.”)
2. Pay Attention to Gender:
In Spanish, adjectives and pronouns can have different forms based on gender. Make sure to modify phrases accordingly when addressing individuals of different genders.
Example: “Pensaba que sabías español” (addressing a male) vs. “Pensaba que sabías español” (addressing a female)
Variations Across Regions:
Spanish is spoken in multiple countries, and there may be some regional variations in the expressions used. However, the phrases mentioned above are commonly understood and used across many Spanish-speaking regions. Being familiar with these variations will ensure clear communication regardless of the region.
In Conclusion:
Expressing your surprise or confusion when someone doesn’t know Spanish can be done in a polite or informal way, depending on the context. Using phrases like “Pensé que sabía español” (formal) or “¡Oye, pensé que te sabías español!” (informal) conveys the intended message effectively. Remember to adjust the verb tenses and pay attention to gender when needed. Now that you have learned different expressions to express “I thought you knew Spanish” in Spanish, you are well-equipped to navigate such situations confidently!
