Learning a language is a minefield of embarrassment, frustration and potential rudeness – heaven forbid! Matt Mills, a Barcelona-based Briton, examines the perils.

Every language has its snares that certain nationalities are destined to get caught in at some point on their journey to becoming the twin-tongued Lothario we all desire to be. Here are just some of the ones that any of us who have had a punt at learning Spanish will have experienced, and if you haven’t yet, the points below may save you from making the same mistakes we did - de nada.