izquierda, derecha y recto
/iθˈkjeɾda deˈɾet͡ʃa i ˈreɡto/word by word
To say left, right and straight in Spanish, use izquierda, derecha y recto.
These three words are the basics of giving and following directions.
Which one should you use?
recto means straight. derecho is also very common for straight ahead when giving directions.
How does it change in a sentence?
izquierda and derecha are feminine nouns. With a la they mean to the left and to the right.
How do you pronounce it?
In IPA it is /iθˈkjeɾda deˈɾetʃa i ˈreɡto/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not mix up derecha, the right side, with derecho, straight ahead. derecha is the direction to turn and derecho is the path forward.
Did you know?
- The word siniestra was the original Spanish word for 'left', which is why the English word 'sinister' still carries a negative or 'evil' connotation.
- While many Romance languages share similar roots for 'right', the Spanish word izquierda is actually a loanword from Basque, a language family entirely unrelated to Spanish.
- In Spanish, the words for 'right' as a direction derecha and 'right' as a legal or moral entitlement derecho are almost identical, differing only by a vowel.
Examples in context
- Gira a la izquierdaTurn left
- La tienda está a la izquierdaThe store is to the left
- La calle está a la izquierdaThe street is to the left
- Gira a la derechaTurn right
- El restaurante está a la derechaThe restaurant is to the right
- El edificio está a la derechaThe building is to the right
- Sigue derechoGo straight ahead
- La playa está todo rectoThe beach is straight ahead
- Sigue todo rectoKeep going straight
Example conversation
Javier is giving Lucía directions to a store.
- JavierSigue la ruta: izquierda, derecha y recto.Follow the route: left, right, and straight.
- Lucía¿Está lejos de aquí, Javier?Is it far from here, Javier?
- JavierNo, solo gira a la izquierda, derecha y recto.No, just turn left, right, and straight.
- LucíaEntendido, gracias por la ayuda.Understood, thanks for the help.
