mano derecha
/ˌmano deˈɾet͡ʃa/feminine
The English phrase "right hand" is mano derecha in Spanish.
Mano derecha refers to the physical right hand. Just like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is a most trusted assistant or deputy.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mano (hand) and derecha (right).
Which one should you use?
To say "left hand", you replace derecha with izquierda to get mano izquierda.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because mano is a feminine noun, the definite article must be la and the adjective must be derecha, forming la mano derecha.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌmano deˈɾetʃa/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, mano is used as a colloquial shorthand for hermano, meaning 'brother'.
- In Spanish, the word mano is feminine, requiring the feminine article la and feminine adjective derecha, even though most nouns ending in -o are masculine.
- The word mano is a cognate of the English word 'manual', which comes from the same Latin root manus.
Examples in context
- Alcen su mano derecha.Raise your right hand.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to raise one's mano derecha.Tatoeba #13654532 by Seael, translation #27061 by CK
- Enséñame tu mano derecha.Show me your right hand.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone shows their mano derecha.Tatoeba #4428630 by Shishir, translation #3824259 by CK
- Tom levantó su mano derecha.Tom held up his right hand.This sentence is useful for describing an action involving a mano derecha.Tatoeba #5451690 by albrusgher, translation #3001262 by CK
- Por favor, extienda su mano derecha para la ceremonia.Please extend your right hand for the ceremony.
- El testigo levantó su mano diestra para prestar juramento.The witness raised their right hand to take an oath.
- Usa tu mano derecha para manejar la bicicleta correctamente.Use your right hand to ride the bicycle correctly.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- AlejandroLa firma está en la mano derecha de la figura.The signature is on the right hand of the figure.
- Sofía¿Te refieres a la mano derecha de la mujer?Are you referring to the woman's right hand?
- AlejandroSí, exactamente en la mano derecha.Yes, exactly on the right hand.
- SofíaEs un detalle muy pequeño.It is a very small detail.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “right hand” translations and entries mano derecha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries derecha, mano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
