número equivocado
/numeɾo ekibokado/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "you got the wrong number" is expressed as número equivocado.
The phrase is used to inform a telephone caller that they have dialed an incorrect number.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase número equivocado, the word equivocado functions as an adjective modifying the noun número to indicate that the number is incorrect.
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to convey this message. Se ha confundido de número and se ha equivocado de número are formal ways to tell a caller they have the wrong number. If you are speaking informally, you should use ¡Te has equivocado de número! or te has equivocado de número, which utilize the 'tú' form.
Did you know?
- The word número shares a common ancestor with the English word 'nemesis', both tracing back to the idea of 'allotting' or 'assigning' something.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to apologize profusely even if you are the one who received the wrong call, using disculpe before stating it is a número equivocado.
- The word equivocado shares a root with the English word 'equivocal'. While the English term often implies being intentionally vague, the Spanish word simply describes a mistake or error.
Examples in context
- Lo siento, número equivocado.I'm sorry, wrong number.
- Lo siento, es un número equivocado.I am sorry, it is a wrong number.
- Perdone, llamó a un número equivocado.Excuse me, you called a wrong number.
Example conversation
A man receives a phone call from a stranger looking for a doctor.
- Daniel¿Hola, se encuentra el doctor García?Hello, is doctor Garcia there?
- SofíaNo, creo que tiene el número equivocado.No, I think you have the wrong number.
- Daniel¡Ay! Lo siento mucho, me equivoqué.Oh! I am very sorry, I made a mistake.
- SofíaNo se preocupe, no hay problema.Do not worry, it is no problem.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries equivocado, número, CC BY-SA 4.0.
