derecha o izquierda
/deɾet͡ʃa o iθkjeɾda/from spelling rules
The phrase "right or left" in Spanish is derecha o izquierda.
This phrase is used to refer to the two opposite directions relative to the center of a person's body.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the direction, the word for 'left' is always the feminine form izquierda.
How do you pronounce it?
/deɾetʃa o iθkjeɾda/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the direction 'right' with the word derecho. While derecha means the direction right, derecho means straight ahead.
Did you know?
- The word for 'left', izquierda, was actually a loanword from Basque. It eventually replaced the older Spanish word siniestra, which was used for centuries to mean the same thing.
- Because derecho can mean 'straight' or 'a legal right', a sentence like tengo derecho can be ambiguous without context.
- While English speakers use 'right' for both 'correct' and 'direction', Spanish uses derecha only for the direction. To say something is 'right' in the sense of being correct, you would use correcto or bien.
Examples in context
- ¿Hacia qué lado gira la Tierra, derecha o izquierda?Which way does the Earth turn? Right or left?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase derecha o izquierda in a question about the direction of the Earth's rotation.Tatoeba #6318521 by Adelpa, translation #9075274 by shekitten
- Por favor, gire a la derecha en la próxima calle.Please turn right at the next street.
- La oficina que estás buscando está a la izquierda.The office you are looking for is on the left.
- La tienda está a la derecha del restaurante.The store is on the right of the restaurant.
- Hay un parque a la izquierda de la escuela.There is a park on the left of the school.
- Gire a la derecha en el semáforo.Turn right at the traffic light.
- Camina dos cuadras y luego dobla a la izquierda.Walk two blocks and then turn left.
- El supermercado está a la derecha del cine.The supermarket is on the right of the movie theater.
- Después de cruzar el puente, verás el parque a la izquierda.After crossing the bridge, you will see the park on the left.
- ¿Debo girar a la derecha o izquierda?Should I turn right or left?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a map together.
- MateoSofía, ¿el museo está a la derecha o izquierda?Sofía, is the museum to the right or left?
- SofíaCreo que está a la derecha.I think it is to the right.
- MateoNo estoy seguro, el mapa es confuso.I'm not sure, the map is confusing.
- SofíaBusquemos un cartel para estar seguros.Let's look for a sign to be sure.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries derecha, izquierda, o, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
