How to Say "Backwards" in Spanish

hacia atrás

/aθja atɾas/from spelling rules

The English phrase backwards is translated into Spanish as hacia atrás.

This phrase is used to describe movement in the direction opposite to that which is forward.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the preposition hacia (towards) and the adverb atrás (back/behind).

hacia atrás is the direct antonym of hacia adelante (forwards/ahead).

While atrás can be used alone to mean backwards or behind, adding hacia specifies the direction of movement towards the back.

/aθja atɾas/

While hacia atrás describes physical movement, Spanish speakers use the word al revés to describe things that are 'backwards' in terms of order or orientation, such as a shirt worn inside out.
The word hacia comes from the Latin phrase faciem ad, which literally means 'facing towards' a face.
In Spanish, the concept of moving 'backwards' is often associated with the verb retroceder, which is used more frequently in formal writing than the phrase hacia atrás.

Tienes todo hacia atrás.
You have it all backwards.
This sentence uses hacia atrás to describe a situation being entirely backwards.
Tatoeba #5689136 by arh, translation #5158534 by CK
La vida solo puede entenderse hacia atrás, pero debe vivirse hacia adelante.
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
This sentence uses hacia atrás to contrast understanding life backwards with living it forwards.
Tatoeba #3523340 by marcelostockle, translation #4357397 by Asynja
Su letra se inclina hacia adelante, mientras que la de ella se inclina hacia atrás.
His handwriting slants forwards, whereas hers slants backwards.
This sentence uses hacia atrás to contrast the slant of one person's handwriting with another's.
Tatoeba #6764205 by UsuarioX, translation #4727218 by AlanF_US
Por favor, escriba los números al revés en el formulario.
Please write the numbers backwards on the form.
No entiendo por qué siempre das un paso para atrás en vez de avanzar.
I don't understand why you always take a step backwards instead of moving forward.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Javier is helping Lucía park her car.

Javier

Ahora mueve el coche un poco hacia atrás.
Now move the car a little bit backwards.
Lucía

Está bien, ¿ya estoy en el lugar?
Okay, am I in the spot yet?
Javier

No, ve un poco más hacia atrás.
No, go a bit more backwards.
Lucía

Listo, ya lo estacioné.
Done, I parked it now.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hacia atrás, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries atrás, hacia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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