tener la culpa
Lemma Details
Translation: to be at fault; to be to blame; to be guilty
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'tener' (to have) with 'la culpa' (the fault/blame/guilt). 'Culpa' derives from Latin 'culpa' meaning fault or blame. The English word 'culpable' shares this Latin root, making it a cognate that can help remember the meaning. The construction follows a common Spanish pattern of using 'tener' + noun to express states that English often expresses with 'to be' + adjective.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Yo tengo la culpa de lo que pasó.
I am to blame for what happened.
Si el proyecto fracasa, tú tendrás la culpa.
If the project fails, you will be at fault.
Nadie tiene la culpa del accidente.
Nobody is to blame for the accident.
¿Quién tiene la culpa de este desastre?
Who is responsible for this disaster?
Mnemonics
- Remember that 'culpa' is related to the English 'culpable' (legally responsible).
- Think of 'tener la culpa' as 'having the blame' rather than 'being to blame'.
- Visualize holding (teniendo) a heavy weight labeled 'culpa' (blame).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in Spanish to acknowledge responsibility for mistakes or problems. In Spanish culture, accepting blame can be seen as a sign of maturity and honesty. The phrase is used in both casual conversations and more formal contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Tener la culpa' means to be at fault oneself, while 'echar la culpa' means to blame someone else.
Notes: The difference is about who holds responsibility: with 'tener la culpa' you accept it yourself, with 'echar la culpa' you assign it to others.
Mnemonic: 'Tener' (to have) means you possess the blame; 'echar' (to throw) means you're throwing blame at someone else.
Explanation: 'Tener la culpa' indicates objective responsibility, while 'sentirse culpable' refers to the subjective feeling of guilt, whether justified or not.
Confused word:
Me siento culpable aunque no hice nada malo.
I feel guilty even though I didn't do anything wrong.
Notes: You can 'sentirse culpable' (feel guilty) even when you don't 'tener la culpa' (aren't actually at fault).
Mnemonic: 'Tener la culpa' is about having actual responsibility; 'sentirse culpable' is about feeling the emotion of guilt.