mi error
/mi eroɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my mistake" is translated into Spanish as mi error.
mi error is an expression used to admit that you have done something incorrectly or have made a fault. If you want to say "my mistakes" in the plural, use mis errores.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective mi (my) and the noun error (mistake/error).
Which one should you use?
mi error is used for errors of judgment or factual mistakes. In contrast, if you want to take moral or legal responsibility for a fault, you should use mi culpa.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mi error is a standard, neutral to formal way to admit a mistake. For a more colloquial way to say "it was my doing/my fault", you can use fue cosa mía. If you need a very formal way to say "I made a mistake", you can use cometí un equívoco or for a formal "sorry for the mistake", use perdón por el error. For a colloquial way to say "I messed up", use metí la pata.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi eroɾ/
Did you know?
- The colloquial phrase metí la pata uses the word pata, which refers to an animal's leg rather than a human leg. This adds a layer of animal-like clumsiness to the admission of a mistake.
- The word error traces back to a Latin root meaning 'to wander' or 'to stray'. In its original sense, a mistake was not just a wrong answer, but a failure to stay on the right path.
- While mi error is a neutral admission, the phrase mi culpa carries a deep religious weight because it mirrors the 'mea culpa' used in traditional Catholic confessions of sin.
Examples in context
- Este fue mi error.This was my mistake.This sentence is useful for stating that something was mi error.Tatoeba #3742161 by cueyayotl, translation #2647574 by CK
- He reconocido mi error.I have acknowledged my mistake.This sentence is useful for showing that you have acknowledged mi error.Tatoeba #13028714 by Eremon, translation #7772963 by sharris123
- Pido disculpas. Fue mi error.I apologize. It was my mistake.Tatoeba #1496909 by marcelostockle, translation #1495774 by CK
- Lo siento, mi error. No debería haber olvidado tu cumpleaños.I'm sorry, my mistake. I shouldn't have forgotten your birthday.
- Perdóname, fue culpa mía no haber llegado a tiempo a la reunión.Forgive me, it was my fault for not arriving on time to the meeting.
- ¡Ay, metí la pata al enviar ese mensaje! No era para ti.Oops, I messed up by sending that message! It wasn't meant for you.
- Le pido disculpas por el error en su pedido. Perdón por las molestias ocasionadas.I apologize for the mistake in your order. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
- Me gustaría aclarar que cometí un equívoco al darle la información incorrecta. Lamento profundamente cualquier confusión que esto haya causado.I would like to clarify that I made a mistake by providing you with incorrect information. I sincerely apologize for any confusion it may have caused.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are checking a shared document.
- LucíaCreo que puse la fecha mal aquí.I think I put the date wrong here.
- AlejandroTienes razón, el evento es mañana.You're right, the event is tomorrow.
- LucíaPerdón, fue mi error.Sorry, it was my mistake.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Lucía, lo arreglo yo.Don't worry, Lucía, I'll fix it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries error, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
