pensé que eras otra persona
/pense ke eɾas otɾa peɾsona/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I thought you were someone else" can be translated into Spanish as pensé que eras otra persona.
This phrase is used to apologize or provide an explanation when you have mistaken one person for another.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pensé que eras otra persona literally translates to "I thought that you were another person".
Which one should you use?
While pensé que eras otra persona is a standard way to express this, you can also use ¡Te confundí con alguien más! to say "I mistook you for someone else!"
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase pensé que eras otra persona, the verb eras is in the imperfect indicative mood to express a continuous state or identity in the past.
Did you know?
- The word persona originally referred to the masks worn by actors in ancient times to project a specific character.
- The word persona is used in Spanish not only for human beings but also for corporations, which are legally referred to as a persona jurídica.
- In Spanish, the verb confundir used in the phrase ¡Te confundí con alguien más! can also describe the physical act of blurring or mixing items, such as accidentally mixing spices in a kitchen.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, señor. Pensé que era otra persona. Me confundí.Excuse me, sir. I thought you were someone else. I got confused.
- Perdóneme, señora. Creí que usted era alguien distinto. Fue un malentendido de mi parte.Forgive me, ma'am. I thought you were someone else. It was a misunderstanding on my part.
- Oye, perdona. ¡Pensaba que eras otra persona! No te había reconocido.Hey, sorry. I thought you were someone else! I didn't recognize you.
- ¡Jaja! ¡Te confundí con alguien más! ¡Qué vergüenza!Haha! I mistook you for someone else! How embarrassing!
- ¡Ay, perdón! Pensé que eras otra persona.Oh, sorry! I thought you were someone else.
- Lo siento, pensé que eras otra persona.I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else.
- ¡Perdón! Pensé que eras otra persona por el abrigo.Sorry! I thought you were someone else because of the coat.
- Disculpa, pensé que eras otra persona.Excuse me, I thought you were someone else.
Example conversation
Daniel accidentally taps Lucía on the shoulder in a crowded cafe.
- Daniel¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?Hi! How are you?
- LucíaLo siento, pero no te conozco.I'm sorry, but I don't know you.
- DanielOh, perdón, pensé que eras otra persona.Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, no pasa nada.Don't worry, it's okay.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
