'error' means 'error' or 'mistake' in Spanish.
The Spanish noun error means "error" or "mistake". It is used to describe a wrong action, incorrect judgment, or flaw in reasoning—much like the English word “error.” It applies in technical, academic, legal, and everyday contexts where something is done or understood incorrectly.
- error = mistake, error (a wrong action or judgment)
- Used in contexts of incorrectness or faults in thinking or doing
An 'error' is best used for something like a mistake on an exam.
Falla: breakdown, malfunction
'falla' means a breakdown, malfunction, fault, or defect.
Falla refers to a breakdown, malfunction, fault, or defect, usually in machinery, systems, or physical objects. It highlights that something has stopped working properly (a failure), rather than someone making a mistake. It is frequently used in engineering, automotive, and technological contexts.
- falla = failure, malfunction, defect (when something stops working)
- Used for mechanical, electrical, or system breakdowns
'falla' applies when a machine or system stops working.
Error vs Falla: Usage Summary
| Aspect | Error | Falla |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Mistake, error | Breakdown, malfunction |
| Context | Wrong actions or judgments | Mechanical, technical failures |
| Typical Usage | Incorrect answer, typo, error | Engine failure, system fault |
| Example | Un error en el examen | Hay una falla en el motor |
- error = mistake in doing/thinking (used for people/thought)
- falla = failure in function (used for things/systems)
Exercises
- Which noun would you use for “a typo in the report” — error or falla? Why?
- Match the word to its context: (error, falla) — a) internet outage, b) wrong calculation on a bill.
- Can “falla” be used for a person making a mistake? Explain.
'error' covers both minor and major mistakes.
'falla' is used for both mechanical and software malfunctions.
- What are the primary meanings of the Spanish noun 'error'?
- a) error, mistake
- b) success
- c) breakdown
- Answer: a) error, mistake
- What does the noun 'falla' refer to in Spanish?
- a) error
- b) breakdown, malfunction, fault, defect
- c) success
- Answer: b) breakdown, malfunction, fault, defect
- Which situation best fits using the word 'error' in Spanish?
- A mistake on an exam
- A car breaking down
- A successful project
- Answer: A mistake on an exam
- In which scenario would 'falla' be most appropriate?
- When a machine stops working
- When a student makes a grammar error
- When a plan is successful
- Answer: When a machine stops working
- Is 'error' used for both minor and major mistakes in Spanish?
- Yes
- No
- Answer: Yes
- Does 'falla' apply to software malfunctions as well as mechanical ones?
- Yes
- No
- Answer: Yes
“Error” and “falla” are two distinct Spanish nouns that describe different types of “mistakes” or “failures.”
- error = mistake (in thinking or doing; for people)
- falla = malfunction, breakdown (for machines/systems)
- Use error for a wrong answer, and falla for a car that stops working.
You would use 'error' for a mistake made during a presentation.
'falla' can be used for both minor and major technical issues.
'error' might describe the mistake in logic, while 'falla' would refer to the malfunction.