número equivocado
/numeɾo ekibokado/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "wrong number" is translated into Spanish as número equivocado.
número equivocado is used to describe a telephone call where the wrong digits were dialed. While you can use this noun phrase to say "you have the wrong number", it is often more natural in many Spanish-speaking contexts to use the verb equivocarse to say that someone has mistaken the number.
Meaning: A call with a mistake in the number dialled (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of número (number) and equivocado (mistaken or wrong).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because número is a masculine noun, the adjective equivocado must also be in its masculine form.
Did you know?
- While 'wrong' in English often implies something immoral or incorrect, the root of equivocado comes from the Latin 'aequus' meaning 'equal' and 'vocare' meaning 'to call'. It literally describes a situation where two different things are called by the same name, creating a confusion.
- Spanish has a distinct conceptual difference between mal and equivocado. While both can mean 'wrong', you would never call a phone number número malo because that would imply the number itself is evil or of poor quality.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you dial a número equivocado, it is common to apologize using the phrase disculpe la molestia to acknowledge the intrusion into the other person's day.
Examples in context
- Marcó el número equivocado.You dialed the wrong number.This sentence is useful for showing how to use número equivocado with the verb for dialing.Tatoeba #7918020 by fpp, translation #4001343 by AlanF_US
- Tienes el número equivocado.You have the wrong number.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone has número equivocado.Tatoeba #1402626 by marcelostockle, translation #20854 by CK
- Lo lamento, número equivocado.Sorry, wrong number.This sentence is useful for a polite way to state that it is a número equivocado.Tatoeba #2209743 by Shishir, translation #1290129 by Eldad
- Disculpe, creo que ha marcado un número incorrecto.Excuse me, I think you have dialed the wrong number.
- Perdone, pero creo que se ha equivocado de número.Forgive me, but I believe you have dialed the wrong number.
- Lamento informarle que ha llamado a un número equivocado.I regret to inform you that you have called the wrong number.
- Oye, te has equivocado de número, amigo/amiga.Hey, you've dialed the wrong number, my friend.
- Ey, parece que te has confundido de número.Hey, it seems like you've gotten the wrong number.
- ¡Ups! Me temo que has llamado al número incorrecto.Oops! I'm afraid you've called the wrong number.
- Che, me parece que marcaste el número equivocado.Hey, it seems like you dialed the wrong number.
- Disculpá, pero no llamaste al número correcto.Sorry, but you didn't call the right number.
- Disculpe, se ha equivocado de número.Excuse me, you have dialed the wrong number.
- Ey, me temo que te has equivocado de número, colega.Hey, I'm afraid you've dialed the wrong number, buddy.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo calls a person but speaks to the wrong woman.
- MateoHola, ¿está la señora García?Hello, is Mrs. Garcia there?
- MaríaNo, creo que es un número equivocado.No, I think it is a wrong number.
- MateoOh, lo siento mucho.Oh, I am very sorry.
- MaríaNo pasa nada, adiós.It is nothing, goodbye.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wrong number” translations, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
