echar la culpa
Lemma Details
Translation: to blame; to put the blame on; to hold responsible
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'echar' (to throw, cast) with 'la culpa' (the blame, fault). 'Echar' comes from Latin 'iactare' (to throw), while 'culpa' comes directly from Latin 'culpa' meaning fault or blame. The phrase literally means 'to throw the blame' and conceptually parallels the English expression 'to place blame on someone'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El jefe le echó la culpa al nuevo empleado por el error.
The boss blamed the new employee for the mistake.
Siempre me echas la culpa de todo.
You always blame me for everything.
No le eches la culpa a tu hermano por algo que hiciste tú.
Don't blame your brother for something you did.
Es fácil echar la culpa a los demás cuando las cosas salen mal.
It's easy to blame others when things go wrong.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'echar' as 'to throw' and imagine physically throwing blame at someone.
- Remember that 'culpa' sounds like 'culprit' in English, which is related to blame and responsibility.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in everyday Spanish conversations when discussing responsibility for mistakes or problems. In Spanish-speaking cultures, there can sometimes be a tendency to externalize blame, making this phrase particularly useful in both personal and professional contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Echar la culpa' means to blame someone else, while 'tener la culpa' means to be at fault or to be to blame.
Notes: These phrases are often used in complementary situations - one person 'echa la culpa' while another 'tiene la culpa'.
Mnemonic: 'Echar' (throw) means you're directing blame outward; 'tener' (have) means you possess the blame.
Explanation: 'Echar la culpa' is a more colloquial phrase while 'culpar' is a single verb with the same meaning but slightly more formal.
Notes: Both expressions are widely used, but 'echar la culpa' might appear more frequently in casual conversation.
Mnemonic: Think of 'echar la culpa' as the everyday phrase and 'culpar' as its more formal cousin.