By: Jessie Mundo

Edited by: Gelsey Brizo

Learning Spanish the Right Way

Spanish can be a tricky language, especially with all the anglicisms it keeps accepting. Many words are being borrowed from English and there are a lot of words that sound alike in both languages, but that doesn’t mean they’re related or even refer to the same things. When we set out to learn Spanish there are a couple of words and anglicisms that require special attention. Here are 5 common mistakes Spanish-speakers and Spanish-learners make:

1. Libreria vs Biblioteca: Confusing these two words is a common mistake made when learning Spanish. Libreria means bookstore even though it sounds like library, which is why many people use it to refer to a library instead of the correct Spanish word for library – biblioteca.





2. Aplicar vs Solicitar: These two are another common mistake derived from an anglicism. Aplicar is taken to mean apply, but it actually means to implement something. The correct word for apply is solicitar.
3. Trafico vs Transito: Yet another anglicism, trafico is used as a synonym for car traffic when the correct word for traffic is transito. Trafico refers to trafficking, as in illegal forms of trafficking.
4. Campo vs Campamento: These two word are very similar and used interchangeably at times, but they have different meanings. Campo refers to a field while campamento means camping or a camp site.
5. Complexion vs Cutis: The word complexion is often used when pointing out facial complexions because it has been anglicized like many of the words on this list. The correct word for facial complexions is cutis, as complexion in Spanish refers to the anatomical constitution of a person.

With so many anglicisms making their way into the Spanish language, especially with the constant immigration and emigration present in our world today, it’s hard to differentiate the anglicized Spanish words from the correct Spanish words, so don’t be discouraged if you get mixed up or have a hard time knowing which is which. Hopefully this list helps you identify the most common anglicisms and know what to look out for as you start learning the Spanish language. Happy learning!

About the Author:

Jessie is a linguist and creative writer from Puerto Rico, who draws inspiration from her rich and lively Caribbean culture. Suffering wanderlust, she’s always on the move, embracing everything new. And, as a food enthusiast, whenever she’s not working there’s something brewing in her kitchen.