Top 10 Mistakes Mexican Learners Make When Learning English
While Mexican Spanish shares many roots with Spain, there are specific "False Friends" in Mexico that can get you into trouble! Be careful with words like 'Molest' and 'Embarrassed'—they don't mean what you think!
Top 10 Mistakes
1
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Sorry to molest you."
🤔 Why learners say this:
HUGE MISTAKE! Spanish 'molestar' means to annoy or bother. English 'molest' means sexual assault.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Extremely shocking! You are apologizing for committing a crime.
✅ Natural English version:
"Sorry to bother you."
2
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I am constipated."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'constipado' usually means a cold/blocked nose. English 'constipated' means you can't go to the toilet (poo).
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
TMI (Too Much Information)! We don't need to know about your toilet habits.
✅ Natural English version:
"I have a cold." / "My nose is blocked."
3
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Thanks God!"
🤔 Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Gracias a Dios'. English uses the singular 'Thank God'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are writing a letter: "Dear God, Thanks."
✅ Natural English version:
"Thank God!"
🎯 Practice: Which Word?
You want to ask your boss a question. You say:
A) Sorry to molest you
B) Sorry to bother you
4
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I can touch the guitar."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'tocar' means both to touch physically and to play an instrument.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are just putting your finger on the wood, not making music.
✅ Natural English version:
"I can play the guitar."
5
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"The life is hard."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish uses articles for general concepts ('La vida'). English drops 'the'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are talking about a board game called 'Life'.
✅ Natural English version:
"Life is hard."
6
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I went to the library to buy a book."
🤔 Why learners say this:
FALSE FRIEND! 'Librería' is a bookshop (buy). A 'Library' is 'Biblioteca' (borrow).
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Impossible! You can't buy books at a library, you only borrow them.
✅ Natural English version:
"I went to the bookshop / bookstore."
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"I am pregnant about the test."
7
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I pass for you at 8."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Paso por ti'. English uses 'pick you up'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you will walk past me and ignore me!
✅ Natural English version:
"I will pick you up at 8."
8
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"She is very sensitive." (Meaning sensible)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'sensato' = Sensible (logical). Spanish 'sensible' = Sensitive (emotional). They are swapped!
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
You mean she cries easily, but you probably meant she makes good decisions.
✅ Natural English version:
"She is very sensible." (Logical/Smart)
9
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I have 25 years."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Standard Spanish structure 'Tengo X años'. English uses 'To Be'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you possess 25 years in your pocket.
✅ Natural English version:
"I am 25 years old."
10
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Actually, I live in Mexico." (Meaning currently)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Spanish 'Actualmente' means Currently. English 'Actually' means 'In reality/In fact'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are correcting me, or revealing a secret.
✅ Natural English version:
"Currently, I live in Mexico."
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"Thanks God I can touch the piano."
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