Equivocar Conjugation in Spanish
equivocar means "to mistake" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the date of the exam, the phone number, the address of the house and his teacher's name. This page gives you the complete conjugation of equivocar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. equivocar is a spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "Every day, I mistake the date of the exam." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: equivocar
- English: to mistake
- Verb type: spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: equivocando
- Past participle: equivocado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + equivocado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (c → qu before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of equivocar with all six persons. The gerund is equivocando and the past participle is equivocado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivoco |
| tú | equivocas |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivoca |
| nosotros/as | equivocamos |
| vosotros/as | equivocáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivoqué |
| tú | equivocaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivocó |
| nosotros/as | equivocamos |
| vosotros/as | equivocasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivocaba |
| tú | equivocabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivocaba |
| nosotros/as | equivocábamos |
| vosotros/as | equivocabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivocaré |
| tú | equivocarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivocará |
| nosotros/as | equivocaremos |
| vosotros/as | equivocaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivocaría |
| tú | equivocarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivocaría |
| nosotros/as | equivocaríamos |
| vosotros/as | equivocaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he equivocado |
| tú | has equivocado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha equivocado |
| nosotros/as | hemos equivocado |
| vosotros/as | habéis equivocado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han equivocado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había equivocado |
| tú | habías equivocado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había equivocado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos equivocado |
| vosotros/as | habíais equivocado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían equivocado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré equivocado |
| tú | habrás equivocado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá equivocado |
| nosotros/as | habremos equivocado |
| vosotros/as | habréis equivocado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán equivocado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría equivocado |
| tú | habrías equivocado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría equivocado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos equivocado |
| vosotros/as | habríais equivocado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían equivocado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivoque |
| tú | equivoques |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivoque |
| nosotros/as | equivoquemos |
| vosotros/as | equivoquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivoquen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | equivocara |
| tú | equivocaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivocara |
| nosotros/as | equivocáramos |
| vosotros/as | equivocarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivocaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | equivoca |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivoque |
| nosotros/as | equivoquemos |
| vosotros/as | equivocad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivoquen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | equivoques |
| él/ella/Ud. | equivoque |
| nosotros/as | equivoquemos |
| vosotros/as | equivoquéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | equivoquen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about equivocar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of equivocar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "Every day, I mistake the date of the exam." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of equivocar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo equivoqué el número de teléfono. — "Yesterday, I mistook the phone number." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is equivoqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example equivoque. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of equivocar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo equivocaba la dirección de la casa. — "In the past, I used to mistake the address of the house." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of equivocar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros equivocaremos el nombre de su profesora. — "Tomorrow, we will mistake his teacher's name." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of equivocar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú equivocarías la fecha del examen. — "If you could, you would mistake the date of the exam." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of equivocar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he equivocado el número de teléfono. — "I have mistaken the phone number." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of equivocar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había equivocado la dirección de la casa. — "Before the party, I had mistaken the address of the house." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of equivocar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré equivocado el nombre de su profesora. — "By tomorrow, I will have mistaken his teacher's name." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of equivocar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría equivocado la fecha del examen. — "If I had been able to, I would have mistaken the date of the exam." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of equivocar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él equivoque el número de teléfono. — "I hope that he/she mistakes the phone number." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is equivoqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example equivoque. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of equivocar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él equivocara la dirección de la casa, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she mistook the address of the house, everything would turn out better." For equivocar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem equivoc- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of equivocar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Equivoca el nombre de su profesora! — "Mistake his teacher's name!" Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is equivoqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example equivoque. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of equivocar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No equivoques la fecha del examen. — "Do not mistake the date of the exam." Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is equivoqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example equivoque. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: equivocar in real sentences
Ten sentences with equivocar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "Every day, I mistake the date of the exam." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo equivoqué el número de teléfono. — "Yesterday, I mistook the phone number." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo equivocaba la dirección de la casa. — "In the past, I used to mistake the address of the house." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros equivocaremos el nombre de su profesora. — "Tomorrow, we will mistake his teacher's name." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú equivocarías la fecha del examen. — "If you could, you would mistake the date of the exam." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he equivocado el número de teléfono. — "I have mistaken the phone number." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él equivoque la dirección de la casa. — "I hope that he/she mistakes the address of the house." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él equivocara el nombre de su profesora, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she mistook his teacher's name, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Equivoca la fecha del examen! — "Mistake the date of the exam!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy equivocando el número de teléfono. — "Now, I am mistaking the phone number." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with equivocar
The errors learners actually make with equivocar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me equivoco la fecha del examen.
- Right: Yo equivoco la fecha del examen.
- Why: equivocar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo equivoco la fecha del examen. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the qu spelling change in the preterite
- Wrong: Ayer, yo equivocé la fecha del examen.
- Right: Ayer, yo equivoqué la fecha del examen.
- Why: The c becomes qu before e to keep the hard sound, so the yo preterite is equivoqué, never equivocé. The same qu appears in the subjunctive (equivoque).
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo equivoco el número de teléfono.
- Right: Ayer, yo equivoqué el número de teléfono.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo equivoqué el número de teléfono. — "Yesterday, I mistook the phone number."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy equivocado la dirección de la casa.
- Right: Estoy equivocando la dirección de la casa.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund equivocando for the progressive. The participle equivocado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he equivocado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros equivoca la fecha del examen.
- Right: Nosotros equivocamos la fecha del examen.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes equivocamos, while equivoca belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: equivocar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on equivocar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of equivocar in the present tense?
- (a) equivoca
- (b) equivocamos
- (c) equivoco
- (d) equivocas
Answer: (c) equivoco. The yo form is equivoco. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of equivocar in the present tense?
- (a) equivocamos
- (b) equivocas
- (c) equivoco
- (d) equivoca
Answer: (b) equivocas. The tú form is equivocas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of equivocar in the present tense?
- (a) equivoca
- (b) equivoco
- (c) equivocas
- (d) equivocamos
Answer: (a) equivoca. The él/ella form is equivoca. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of equivocar in the present tense?
- (a) equivoco
- (b) equivocas
- (c) equivoca
- (d) equivocamos
Answer: (d) equivocamos. The nosotros form is equivocamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of equivocar in the present tense?
- (a) equivocas
- (b) equivoca
- (c) equivocan
- (d) equivoco
Answer: (c) equivocan. The ellos/ellas form is equivocan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of equivocar?
- (a) equivoco
- (b) equivocar
- (c) equivocando
- (d) equivocado
Answer: (c) equivocando. The gerund is equivocando, used for the progressive: estoy equivocando.
7. What is the past participle of equivocar?
- (a) equivocar
- (b) equivocado
- (c) equivocando
- (d) equivoqué
Answer: (b) equivocado. The past participle is equivocado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he equivocado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la fecha del examen.
- (a) equivoco
- (b) equivocas
- (c) equivoca
- (d) equivocamos
Answer: (a) equivoco. The sentence needs the yo form equivoco (Every day, I mistake the date of the exam.)
9. What is the yo form of equivocar in the preterite?
- (a) equivocaste
- (b) equivocó
- (c) equivocamos
- (d) equivoqué
Answer: (d) equivoqué. The yo preterite is equivoqué. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la dirección de la casa.
- (a) equivoquéis
- (b) equivoque
- (c) equivoques
- (d) equivoquemos
Answer: (b) equivoque. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is equivoque.
Frequently asked questions about equivocar
Is equivocar regular?
Almost. equivocar is a spelling-changing (c → qu before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the c becomes qu before e, so the yo preterite is equivoqué and the subjunctive forms start with qu, for example equivoque. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does equivocar mean, and when do I use it?
equivocar means "to mistake" in English. Use it when you talk about the date of the exam, the phone number, the address of the house and his teacher's name — for example: Yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "I mistake the date of the exam." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "I mistake the date of the exam." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of equivocar?
No. equivocar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "I mistake the date of the exam." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with equivocar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo equivoco la fecha del examen. — "I mistake the date of the exam." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo equivoqué la fecha del examen. — "Yesterday, I mistook the date of the exam." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.