Which one should you use?
While destra refers to the physical direction, the related word diritto is used when referring to a legal or moral entitlement, such as a privilege or prerogative. Additionally, the word bene can be used as an interjection to add seriousness or decisiveness to a statement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Neapolitan dialect, the word stuorto is used to mean 'wrong' or 'crooked'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using destra as an adverb to mean 'to the right' in common phrases like 'turn right', it is often used without an article, as seen in the phrase girare a destra.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈdɛs.tra/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
An Italian proverb is A tutto c'è rimedio, tranne alla morte, which means 'Everything can be fixed except death'.
Did you know?
- In some Italian idioms, destra is associated with skill and luck, while sinistra (left) is historically associated with clumsiness or bad luck.
- The word destra shares the same Latin root, dextra, as the English word 'dexterous', which refers to skill with the right hand.
- While destra is the direction, the word diritto means both 'straight' and 'a legal right'.
Examples in context
- Io sono a destra.I am on the right.This sentence is useful for stating your position relative to the right side using destra.Tatoeba #1949063 by Guybrush88, translation #810174 by BraveSentry
- Gira a destra lì.Turn right there.This sentence is useful for giving a direction to turn destra.Tatoeba #11444038 by Guybrush88, translation #50853 by CM
- Tom girò a destra.Tom turned right.This sentence is useful for describing the action of turning destra in the past tense.Tatoeba #5403336 by Guybrush88, translation #2238844 by CK
- La tua risposta è correttaYour answer is right
- Le tue parole sono esatteYour words are right
- È giusto, sono d'accordoThat's right, I agree
- Andiamo al cinema, ok?Let's go to the movies, ok?
- 218 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are walking through a city.
- MatteoLa banca è a destra.The bank is on the right.
- MartinaDavvero? Non l'ho vista.Really? I didn't see it.
- MatteoGuarda a destra, è proprio lì.Look to the right, it is right there.
- MartinaAh sì, ora la vedo!Oh yes, now I see it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry destra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries destra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
