retroceso
/retɾoˈθeso/
The Spanish word for throwback is retroceso.
The term retroceso is used to refer to someone or something that is a throwback or a similar entity to a previous state or person.
Meaning: someone or something similar (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/retɾoˈθeso/
Did you know?
- In the world of firearms, retroceso is the technical term for the recoil of a gun after it is fired.
- If you want to describe a 'throwback' in the sense of a vintage fashion or a nostalgic trend, you should use estilo retro instead of retroceso. The word retroceso focuses on the act of retreating, whereas retro focuses on the aesthetic style.
- While retroceso describes a throwback to a previous state, Spanish speakers often use the English loanword 'flashback' when referring to memories or cinematic devices.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at an old camera.
- SofíaMira esta cámara, es un retroceso a los noventa.Look at this camera, it is a throwback to the nineties.
- JavierEs verdad, Javier recuerda haber tenido una así.True, Javier remembers having had one like that.
- SofíaMe encantan los objetos que son un retroceso.I love objects that are a throwback.
- JavierA mí también me gusta ese estilo vintage.I also like that vintage style.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry retroceso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
