equivocáis

Equivocáis is the second-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb equivocar. It is used with the vosotros pronoun and is common in Spain. The basic meaning is “you all make a mistake” or “you all are mistaken.” In Latin American dialects, where the vosotros form is not used, speakers typically express the same idea with ustedes form: “se equivocan” or simply “equivocan.” The verb can also be used transitively (equivocar algo) or reflexively (equivocarse).

Conjugation and usage notes: present tense forms of equivocaro include yo equivoco, tú equivocas, él/ella equivoca, nosotros equivocamos, vosotros equivocáis, ellos equivocan. The reflexive form is os equivocáis (you all mistake yourselves). The affirmative imperative for vosotros is equivocad, while the negative is no equivoquéis. The related reflexive verb equivócare is used in contexts of personal error: “Os equivocáis con esa suposición.”

Etymology and semantics: equivocarse derives from equivococar, which in turn traces to roots associated with error or ambiguity. The word is linked to the concept of making a wrong assessment or confusing one thing with another. In addition to “to err” or “to make a mistake,” equivocarse de can mean to be mistaken about something or to take the wrong path, as in “Me equivoqué de camino.”

Examples: “Si pensáis que era fácil, os equivocáis.” “Equivocáis la respuesta si no leéis bien las instrucciones.” “Os podéis equivocar de número si no prestáis atención.”