Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| estropear | /estɾopeˈaɾ/ |
| echar a perder | /eˌt͡ʃaɾ a peɾˈdeɾ/ |
| chapucear | /t͡ʃapuθeˈaɾ/ /t͡ʃapuseˈaɾ/ |
| chambonear a | /t͡ʃamboneaɾ a/ (from spelling rules) |
| perjudicar | /peɾxudiˈkaɾ/ |
| embrollar | /embɾoˈʝaɾ/ |
| desbaratar | /desbaɾaˈtaɾ/ |
| embolicar | /embolikaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| fregar | /fɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| desmadrar | /desmaˈdɾaɾ/ |
The phrase 'to mess up' can mean many things in Spanish depending on whether you are talking about ruining a situation, performing a task poorly or causing actual harm. While estropear is a versatile way to say one has messed up or spoiled an object, a plan or a situation, other terms like perjudicar are used when the mistake results in harm or disadvantage to someone. If the 'mess up' involves creating chaos or a total lack of order, you might use the slang term desmadrar.
Which one should you use?
estropear is the most versatile and common way to express messing up or spoiling an object, plan or situation. In contrast, echar a perder is often used specifically for things that are spoiled or ruined, such as food going bad or a perfect opportunity being wasted. If you are describing a task that was messed up due to clumsiness or lack of skill, you would use chapucear. When the mistake results in actual harm or damage to a person or a process, use perjudicar.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say one has made a mistake, use Cometer un error. If you want to use a colloquial term for screwing up or messing up, Cagarla is a common choice. For an informal way to say someone has slipped up or messed up, you can use Patinar. The term Arruinar can be used in both formal and informal settings to mean ruin or mess up. Some terms like chapucear or desmadrar are informal or slang and should be used carefully.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the phrase La embarré is a common way to say 'I messed up' or 'I made a mess'. In parts of Latin America, particularly Mexico, chambonear is a colloquial way to describe messing up a task through clumsiness. Additionally, the expression Mandarse un moco is used in some Latin American countries to express making a mistake or messing up.
How do you pronounce it?
/estɾopeˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word desmadrar used to describe creating chaos comes from madre, meaning 'mother', and originally referred to taking something out of its natural order.
- The slang term cagarla for messing up uses the verb for 'to poop', making it a very vulgar way to say one has ruined something.
- The word perder in the phrase echar a perder is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'perdition'.
Examples in context
- Me temo que cometí un error en el informeI'm afraid I made a mistake in the report
- Posiblemente me equivoqué al enviar el correoI might have been wrong in sending the email
- Lamentablemente, cometí una metedura de pata durante la reuniónUnfortunately, I made a blunder during the meeting
- No quiero fallar en este proyectoI don't want to mess up this project
- Ay, la embarré con esa respuestaOops, I messed up with that answer
- Siempre me mando un moco cuando hablo en públicoI always mess up when speaking in public
- Perdón, patiné con esa respuestaSorry, I messed up with that answer
- Arruiné mi oportunidad de conseguir ese trabajoI messed up my chance of getting that job
- No quiero estropear la sorpresa.I don't want to mess up the surprise.
- Él suele estropear los planes de última hora.He tends to mess up last minute plans.
- ¿Vas a estropear el examen con esa actitud?Are you going to mess up the exam with that attitude?
Example conversation
Daniel and María are preparing a presentation for work.
- DanielTen cuidado, no queremos estropear la presentación.Be careful, we don't want to mess up the presentation.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Daniel, yo lo tengo controlado.Don't worry, Daniel, I have it under control.
- DanielEs que el formato es muy complicado.It's just that the format is very complicated.
- MaríaNo vamos a estropear nada, confía en mí.We aren't going to mess anything up, trust me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mess up” translations and entries estropear, echar a perder, chapucear, perjudicar, embrollar, desbaratar, fregar, desmadrar, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, chapucear, echar, estropear, perder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
