This exam tips covers Errores clásicos — Classic Errors within Vocabulary matching for GCSE Spanish. Revise Vocabulary matching in Reading + Translation (ES→EN) for GCSE Spanish with 16 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
💡 Errores clásicos — Classic Errors
❌ "Estoy embarazada" → student translates as "I am embarrassed"
✅ I am PREGNANT. The speaker is announcing a pregnancy.
Why: embarazada = pregnant. "Estoy avergonzado/a" = I am embarrassed.
❌ "La librería está cerrada" → student translates as "The library is closed"
✅ The BOOKSHOP is closed.
Why: librería = bookshop. Library = biblioteca — a completely different word.
❌ "Actualmente vivo en Madrid" → student translates as "Actually, I live in Madrid"
✅ I CURRENTLY live in Madrid.
Why: actualmente = currently (at the present time). "En realidad" = actually (correcting a misunderstanding).
❌ "Pretendo estudiar medicina" → student translates as "I pretend to study medicine"
✅ I INTEND to study medicine.
Why: pretender = to intend / claim. "Fingir" = to pretend (to fake something).
Practice questions for Vocabulary matching
What do the underlined words mean in English? 1. Me levanto **temprano** todos los días. 2. Mi hermana es muy **simpática**. 3. Vivo en una ciudad **pequeña**.