Phrase · 🔀 Register shifts
Me temo que está usted en un error.
I'm afraid you are mistaken.
C2disagreeingformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Me2pronoun(myself)yo · 1sttemo2verbI'm afraidtemer · present · 1st sing.que2conjunctionthatestá2verbareestar · present · 3rd sing.usted1pronounyou (formal)2nd sing.en3prepositioninun3determineranuno · masc. · sing. · indefiniteerror3nounerrormasc. · sing..
- Me → temo: temerse: pronominal
- que → está: me temo que + indicative
- usted → está: usted → está (3rd sg.)
- en → error: estar en un error: be mistaken
Word for word: “I fear that you are in an error.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Formal: usted after the verb, estar en un error instead of equivocarse, and a softener in front. Formal register: impersonalisation, nominalisation and correspondence →
- 2me temo que + indicative only softens bad news. temer que + subjunctive expresses real fear. Mood alternation I: meaning changes and negation →
- 3estar en un error = to be mistaken, a cultured set phrase.
Variations
- Creo que te equivocas.
- ¡Nada que ver, eso no es así!
- Discrepo respetuosamente de su opinión.