Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| retrasado | /retɾaˈsado/ |
| atrasado | /atɾaˈsado/ |
| con retraso/atraso/demora |
You can also express this concept by saying something is arriving or operating con retraso/atraso/demora.
Which one should you use?
The word retrasado is the standard term for a delay in schedules, such as flights or meetings. In contrast, atrasado is frequently used in spoken Spanish to indicate being behind schedule or running late. You may also use the phrase con retraso to express that something is arriving or operating with a delay.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use retrasada for feminine nouns like la clase (the class). The adjective must agree in number with the noun it modifies, so use retrasados for masculine plural nouns like los trenes (the trains).
How do you pronounce it?
/retɾaˈsado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful using retrasado as an adjective for people, as it is often used as a highly offensive slur meaning 'retarded'.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, atrasado is used not just for time but to describe someone who is 'backward' or lacks modern knowledge.
- If a clock is 'slow' or 'delayed', Spanish speakers use atrasado specifically, whereas retrasado would sound unnatural for a timepiece.
- The term retraso can be used in medical contexts to describe a developmental delay without being an insult, provided it is used as a noun and not an adjective.
Examples in context
- Nuestro tren está atrasado.Our train is delayed.This sentence shows how to say a train is atrasado.Tatoeba #4915262 by BoriQa, translation #1073136 by CM
- El vuelo de Tom fue retrasado.Tom's flight was delayed.This sentence uses retrasado to describe a flight that was delayed.Tatoeba #1386290 by marcelostockle, translation #680659 by Source_VOA
- Lo que está retrasado puede llegar más tarde.What is delayed may come later.This sentence illustrates a general statement about things that are retrasado.Tatoeba #5267338 by Omnivoro, translation #5237515 by Adelpa
- El vuelo está retrasado debido al mal tiempo.The flight is delayed due to bad weather.
- El informe llegará con retraso debido a un problema técnico.The report will arrive delayed due to a technical issue.
- La entrega del paquete está atrasada por problemas en el transporte.The package delivery is delayed due to transport issues.
- El tren está retrasado por una avería en la vía.The train is delayed due to a track failure.
- Me temo que mi vuelo se encuentra con retraso debido a una huelga de controladores aéreos.I'm afraid my flight is delayed due to an air traffic controllers' strike.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about a delivery at home.
- Sofía¿Por qué no ha llegado el pedido?Why hasn't the order arrived?
- MateoParece que el envío está retrasado.It seems the shipment is delayed.
- SofíaQué mal, Mateo.That's too bad, Mateo.
- MateoNo te preocupes, llegará pronto.Don't worry, it will arrive soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delayed” translations and entries retrasado, atrasado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
