What does it mean word for word?
seguir recto is composed of the verb seguir (to continue or to follow) and the adverb recto (straight or direct).
Which one should you use?
While recto means straight, it is often used interchangeably with derecho in many Spanish-speaking regions to mean straight ahead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, siga derecho is commonly used to mean drive straight.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving directions, you will often use imperative forms rather than the infinitive. Use the polite imperative siga recto when giving directions to a stranger or using a polite tone. Use the informal imperative sigue recto when giving directions to a friend or someone you know well. You may also use Manténgase en línea recta to tell someone to stay in a straight line.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɡiɾ ɾeɡto/
Did you know?
- If you use the word recto in a medical context in Spanish, you might accidentally be referring to the 'rectum' rather than a straight line.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, telling someone to go derecho means to go 'straight', but the word 'derecho' also means 'a right' or 'a law'.
- The verb seguir in seguir recto is a close relative of the English words 'sequel', 'sequence' and 'segue'.
Examples in context
- Conduzca recto hasta llegar al semáforo y gire a la izquierdaDrive straight until you reach the traffic light, then turn left
- Sigue recto durante tres kilómetrosDrive straight for three kilometers
- Sigue recto sin desviarte en ningún momentoDrive straight without deviating at any moment
- Siga recto dos calles y luego gire a la derecha.Drive straight for two streets and then turn right.
- Para llegar al hotel, debes seguir recto.To reach the hotel, you must drive straight.
Example conversation
Javier is giving Sofía driving directions to a restaurant.
- Javier¿Dónde giro para llegar al restaurante, Sofía?Where do I turn to get to the restaurant, Sofía?
- SofíaDebes seguir recto por dos manzanas más.You should drive straight for two more blocks.
- Javier¿Y después de esas dos manzanas?And after those two blocks?
- SofíaGira a la izquierda en la esquina.Turn left at the corner.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recto, seguir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
