7 Common Spanish Mistakes Travelers Make & How to Avoid Them

By Karla Sánchez

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April 22, 2025

Contents

Introduction

1. Using literal translations from English

2. Misusing “Tú” and “Usted”

3. Confusing “Ser” and “Estar”

4. Forgetting gender agreement

5. Mispronouncing key words

6. Overusing English words with a Spanish ending

7. Not asking for clarification politely

Conclusion

Introduction

Learning Spanish before your trip to Spain or Latin America is a good idea. However, even prepared travelers can make small mistakes.

These mistakes can cause confusion, awkward moments, or even unintentional offense. Fortunately, these missteps are easy to fix once you know what to look out for. This post will cover common Spanish mistakes travelers make and Spanish mistakes tourists often make.

In this post, we’ll share seven common Spanish travel mistakes tourists make. We’ll also show you how to avoid them. This way, you can travel confidently and connect with locals. We'll also touch upon how to avoid Spanish mistakes traveling.

1. Using literal translations from English

The mistake: Translating word for word

One of the most common traps is assuming Spanish works exactly like English. It doesn’t—and literal translations often result in funny or embarrassing phrases. This is a frequent example of common Spanish errors by travelers.

Example:

• You say: “Estoy caliente.” (Literal: “I’m hot.”)

• What you meant: “Tengo calor.” (I’m warm.)

How to avoid it:

• Learn context-specific phrases, not just individual words.

• Use phrasebooks or apps that offer real-life examples.

• Practice with native speakers or tutors who can guide you.

2. Misusing “Tú” and “Usted”

The mistake: Being too casual or too formal

Spanish has two forms of “you”—tú (informal) and usted (formal). Choosing the wrong one can sound either too cold or too disrespectful. This is a key area for beginner Spanish mistakes travel.

Example:

• Calling an older stranger tú may seem rude.

• Using usted with a friend might feel too distant.

How to avoid it:

• Use usted in formal situations, with elders, or service workers.

• Use tú with peers, friends, or children.

• When in doubt, start formal—locals will invite you to switch to tú if appropriate.

3. Confusing “Ser” and “Estar”

The mistake: Mixing up two verbs that mean “to be”

English uses “to be” for everything. Spanish splits it into ser (essential traits) and estar (temporary states). Confusing them can change the meaning completely. This is one of the common mistakes english speakers make in Spanish.

Example:

• “Soy aburrido” = I am boring

• “Estoy aburrido” = I am bored

How to avoid it:

• Use ser for identity, origin, professions, and time

• Use estar for emotions, location, and temporary conditions

• Practice examples to build instinct

4. Forgetting gender agreement

The mistake: Mixing up masculine and feminine forms

Every Spanish noun has a gender, and articles and adjectives must agree with the noun. This is a frequent Spanish error to avoid while traveling.

Example:

• Incorrect: “El mano” (The hand)

• Correct: “La mano” – Even though it ends in “-o”, mano is feminine.

How to avoid it:

• Memorize nouns with their article (el, la) when learning new vocabulary

• Review adjective agreement rules (e.g., niño pequeño, niña pequeña)

• Use flashcards or quiz apps to reinforce patterns

5. Mispronouncing key words

The mistake: Misplacing stress or using English sounds

Mispronunciation can lead to confusing or inappropriate words. These language mistakes in Spanish trips can sometimes be humorous but are best avoided.

Example:

• “Perro” (dog) vs. “pero” (but)

• “Papa” (potato) vs. “Papá” (dad)

Rolling your R’s or placing stress correctly is key to being understood.

How to avoid it:

• Use resources like Forvo, SpanishDict, or YouTube pronunciation videos

• Practice common travel words with a native speaker

• Don’t stress about rolling R’s perfectly—just try your best and speak slowly

6. Overusing English words with a Spanish ending

The mistake: Making up words that sound Spanish

Many travelers try to improvise with “Spanglish”—adding “-o” or “-a” to English words. This often results in confusion or nonexistent words and falls under Spanish mistakes.

Example:

• “Es muy esmart” (incorrect)

• Instead: “Es muy inteligente” (correct)

How to avoid it:

• Build a real Spanish travel vocabulary list

• Focus on most-used verbs and nouns for travel

• Use apps or cheat-sheets that teach phrases, not just single words

7. Not asking for clarification politely

The mistake: Staying silent out of embarrassment

Tourists often lose themselves in conversation and remain quiet instead of asking someone to repeat or slow down. This stops communication and limits learning. These travel errors are easily overcome.

How to avoid it:

Use polite, easy expressions like:

• “¿Puede repetir, por favor?” – Can you repeat that, please?

• “¿Puede hablar más despacio?” – Can you speak more slowly?

• “No entiendo muy bien.” – I don’t understand very well.

Most locals are happy to help, especially when you show effort. This is crucial to navigate language pitfalls Spanish travel.

Bonus tip: Mistakes are part of the journey

Don’t let fear stop you from speaking. The people you meet will appreciate your effort more than your accuracy. Tourist Spanish errors are common, and Spanish speakers are usually patient and encouraging, especially when you approach them respectfully.

Making mistakes is not just okay—it’s how you learn.

Conclusion

If you want to visit a Spanish-speaking country, it's important to learn how to avoid common mistakes. This will help you connect better with people. It will also make you feel more confident. From mastering “ser” and “estar” to navigating slang and politeness, a little preparation goes a long way.

Your next step:

Choose one or two common Spanish mistakes you’ve made or might make. Focus on practicing the correct version today. Small changes add to significant confidence!

Karla Sánchez

Academic Team

Karla Sánchez is a passionate Spanish teacher from Mexico with over 20 years of experience teaching learners of all ages. Known for her energy and love of culture, she brings joy and enthusiasm to every class. Karla loves dancing, singing, reading, and helping students discover the fun in Spanish learning.