A la derecha.
To the right.
A direction on its own is enough for the driver to know which way to pull the wheel.
From Beverly Hills Ninja · Spanish audio
Spanish vocabularyA1 · Beginner
How to say "right" in Spanish
a la derecha
phrasenoun: la derechaadjective: derechoopposite: a la izquierda
"Right" as a direction is a la derecha in Spanish: to the right or on the right. When right means correct, Spanish uses a different word: Tienes razón means you're right.
Hear "derecha" in a real movie scene
Three words and nothing else. The video starts and stops on that line.
Right: which Spanish word?
English uses right for a side, for being correct and more. Spanish splits these up.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| to the right, on the right | a la derecha |
| my right hand | mi mano derecha |
| You're right. | Tienes razón. |
| That's right. | Eso es. / Exacto. |
| right now | ahora mismo |
| human rights | los derechos humanos |
Tip: Derecha is only for the side and the direction. For being correct, Spanish uses razón: Tienes razón.
Grammar: la derecha, derecho
Four points about the word for the right side.
A feminine noun
la derecha is the right side, so you say a la derecha. The a and the la stay as two words.As an adjective
After a noun it agrees in gender: la pierna derecha, el ojo derecho.Keep going right
Siga a la derecha. Keep going to the right. Use siga with usted and sigue with tú.Say it right
The ch is the same as in English church, and the stress falls on RE: deh-REH-chah. The d is soft.Example sentences
Sentences from the Wordy Spanish course. Tap to listen.
El banco está a la derecha.
The bank is on the right.
Más, a la derecha.
A bit more to the right.
Ah, vamos a la derecha.
Oh, we're going right.
¿Cómo? ¿A la derecha?
Sorry? To the right?
Common mistakes
Mistakes learners make with this word, and how to fix them.
✗Tienes derecho (meaning you're right)
✓Tienes razón
Tener derecho means to have a right to something. Being correct is tener razón.
✗Siga derecho (meaning keep right)
✓Siga a la derecha
In most of Latin America, derecho in directions means straight ahead.
✗el mano derecho
✓la mano derecha
Mano is feminine even though it ends in -o, so the adjective ends in -a.
Real conversation: asking the way
A short dialog with a stranger on the street.
You're new in town and can't find the market, so you stop Iván, a man walking by.
¿Sí? Dígame.
Yes? How can I help?
Perdone, ¿dónde está el mercado?
Excuse me, where's the market?
Está cerca. Siga a la derecha.
It's close. Keep going to the right.
Your turn to answer
In the app you reply in Spanish for the last 2 lines.
Continue the conversation in WordyPractice: 3 quick exercises
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The other 25 exercises on this topic are in the app.
How to remember it
Derecha has the sound of reach in the middle: deh-REH-chah. Reach out with your right hand and point the way.
Questions about "right" in Spanish
How do you say right in Spanish?
For directions, a la derecha: to the right or on the right. The right side itself is la derecha.
How do you say "you're right" in Spanish?
Tienes razón, or Tiene razón to someone you call usted. Derecha never means correct.
How do you say "turn right" in Spanish?
Gira a la derecha to a friend and gire a la derecha to someone you call usted. In Latin America you'll also hear dobla a la derecha.
How do you say right now in Spanish?
Ahora mismo. In Mexico you'll also hear ahorita, which can mean right now or in a little while.
