How to Say "Sideways" in Spanish

de lado

/de ˈlado/

The English phrase 'sideways' can be translated into Spanish using several forms, primarily de lado. Wiktionary also lists de costado and de soslayo.

Meaning: moving or directed towards one side (adj)

Ways to say it

“sideways” in Spanish
Spanish	IPA
de lado	/de ˈlado/
de costado	/de kostado/ (from spelling rules)
de soslayo	/de sosˈlaʝo/
de costadillo	/de kostadiʝo/ (from spelling rules)

The phrase 'sideways' generally describes something moving or directed toward one side. In Spanish, the specific form you choose depends on whether you are describing a physical position, a way of looking at someone or a figurative attitude. For example, de costado is frequently used when describing the physical position of an object or person lying on their side, whereas de lado can be used to describe physical movement or, figuratively, treating someone with contempt or looking at them unkindly.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase de lado is composed of the preposition de (of/from) and the noun lado (side).

Which one should you use?

While de lado can refer to physical movement or an unkind attitude, de soslayo is specifically used for looking at someone or something sideways or out of the corner of one's eye, often implying secrecy or suspicion. If you want to describe an object or person lying on their side, de costado is the more common choice.

How do you pronounce it?

/de ˈlado/

Did you know?

The phrase de soslayo is linked to the verb soslayar, which means to avoid or bypass a problem instead of facing it directly.
The Spanish word lado shares a common ancestor with the English words 'lateral' and 'latitude'.

Examples in context

Aquella mujer me miró de lado.
That woman looked at me sideways.
This sentence is useful for showing how de lado can be used when someone looks at another person.
Tatoeba #2267908 by cueyayotl, translation #2267907 by _undertoad
El automóvil estacionado de costado ocupaba dos espacios.
The car parked sideways took up two spaces.
Camina de lado debido a su lesión en la rodilla.
He walks sideways due to his knee injury.
Puedes apoyar el cuadro de ladito para que entre por la puerta.
You can lean the picture sideways to make it fit through the door.
Se sentó en el sofá de costadito.
He sat on the couch sideways.
El coche se movió de lado en la curva.
The car moved sideways in the curve.
Empuja la caja de lado para que quepa.
Push the box sideways so it fits.

Example conversation

Javier and Sofía are moving a large mirror.

Javier

No cabe así, intenta ponerlo de lado.
It doesn't fit this way, try putting it sideways.
Sofía

Tienes razón, así es más fácil.
You're right, it's easier this way.
Javier

Cuidado, no lo golpees contra la puerta.
Careful, don't hit it against the door.
Sofía

Ya está, Sofía lo tiene sujeto.
It's done, Sofía has it held.

Sources

Wiktionary, “sideways” translations and entries de lado, de costado, de soslayo, de costadillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries costado, de, lado, soslayo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “Sideways” in Spanish