Spanish · C2 · Family moment
Let Me Put That Right in Spanish
Modeling accountability through 'epanorthosis' involves immediately correcting a minimizing statement with a more accurate, responsible one. This guide focuses on using Spanish to replace dismissive language with precise descriptions of one's actions.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of corrective conjunctions like 'mejor dicho' and 'o más bien'.
- Employ epanorthosis to shift from defensive to accountable language.
- Refine intonation to signal a genuine, humble self-correction.
Spanish phrases for let me put that right
Hice unas cuantas sugerencias—o más precisamente, te interrumpía a cada rato antes de que pudieras explicar tu idea.
I offered a few suggestions—more precisely, I kept interrupting before you could explain your idea.
'A cada rato' captures the repetitive nature of the interruptions.
Tomé prestado tu cuaderno de dibujo—no, me lo llevé sin preguntar, y debí haber respetado tu privacidad.
I borrowed your sketchbook—no, I took it without asking, and I should have respected your privacy.
Using 'no' as a hard break signals immediate accountability.
La regla no estaba muy clara—mejor dicho, la cambié sin decirte nada.
The rule was a little unclear—better said, I changed it without telling you.
'Mejor dicho' is the standard way to introduce a self-correction in Spanish.
Parecías difícil—no, no estabas de acuerdo conmigo, y estar en desacuerdo no es portarse mal.
You seemed difficult—no, you were disagreeing with me, and disagreement isn't misbehaviour.
Contrasts a subjective label ('difícil') with an objective action ('no estar de acuerdo').
Ayudé con el proyecto—o más bien, me hice cargo de una parte que tú querías hacer a solas.
I helped with the project—more precisely, I took over a section you wanted to do yourself.
'Hacerse cargo' implies taking control, often unnecessarily.
Solo estaba bromeando—no, el chiste te dio vergüenza, y llamarlo broma no quita eso.
I was only teasing—no, the joke embarrassed you, and calling it teasing doesn't undo that.
'Dar vergüenza' is the natural way to express that someone felt embarrassed.
A los dos se nos olvidó el acuerdo—no, tú me lo recordaste y yo no cumplí.
We both forgot the arrangement—no, you reminded me, and I failed to follow through.
'No cumplí' focuses on the failure to keep a promise or commitment.
Siento que te hayas disgustado—mejor dicho, lamento haber minimizado algo que era importante para ti.
I'm sorry you were upset—better said, I'm sorry I dismissed something that mattered to you.
Replaces a 'non-apology' with a direct apology for one's own actions.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Mejor dicho
Better said / Rather
The most common filler for self-correction in conversation.
O más bien
Or rather / Or more precisely
Used to refine a previous statement that wasn't quite accurate.
Minimizar
To dismiss / To downplay
Crucial for describing when one treats a child's feelings as unimportant.
No cumplir
To fail to follow through
Specifically refers to not meeting an obligation or promise.
Epanorthosis (Self-Correction)
In Spanish, accountability is signaled by interrupting a sentence to replace a vague term with a specific one. This usually follows a dash (long pause) or the word 'no'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Correcting an Adjective | [Minimizing Adj.] + mejor dicho + [Precise Adj.] | Estaba cansado—mejor dicho, estaba irritable. |
| Correcting an Action | [Vague Verb] + o más bien + [Accountable Verb] | Te sugerí algo—o más bien, te obligué. |
More examples
Olvidé nuestra cita—no, prioricé mi trabajo sobre nuestro tiempo.
I forgot our date—no, I prioritized my work over our time.
Moving from an accident ('olvidé') to a choice ('prioricé').
Estaba siendo protector—o más bien, no confié en tu capacidad.
I was being protective—or rather, I didn't trust your ability.
Shifting the focus from the parent's intent to the lack of trust.