a la derecha
/a la deɾet͡ʃa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "to the right" is translated as a la derecha.
This phrase is used to indicate a direction or position toward the right side.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of a (to), la (the) and derecha (right).
Which one should you use?
To say "to the left", replace derecha with izquierda.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine article la because derecha is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/a la deɾetʃa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use derecho instead of derecha when giving directions. derecho means "straight ahead" or "straight", whereas derecha refers to the direction/side.
Did you know?
- Because derecho refers to something straight, the Spanish word for 'human rights' is derechos humanos. Here, 'rights' refers to the legal entitlement rather than a direction.
- The word derecha shares the same root as the word for 'straight' and 'law' in Spanish. This is because the Latin ancestor directus implied something that was both physically straight and morally upright.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a person might use the phrase a mano derecha to be even more specific, which literally translates to 'at the right hand'.
Examples in context
- Gira a la derecha.Turn to the right.This sentence is useful for practicing how to tell someone to turn using a la derecha.Tatoeba #683442 by Shishir, translation #27067 by CK
- Quédate a la derecha.Keep to the right.This sentence is useful for telling someone to stay or keep to a side using a la derecha.Tatoeba #1491672 by Shishir, translation #456283 by lukaszpp
- Sí, es aquí a la derecha.Yes, it's here to the right.This sentence is useful for confirming a location is to the right using a la derecha.Tatoeba #1427805 by marcelostockle, translation #403091 by Ramses
- Siga recto y gire a la derecha en la próxima calleGo straight and turn to the right at the next street
- La tienda está al lado derecho del edificioThe store is on the right side of the building
- Sigue recto hasta llegar al semáforo y luego dobla a la derechaGo straight until you reach the traffic light, then turn right
- La panadería está a unos metros a la derechaThe bakery is a few meters to the right
- Mi casa está a la derecha del parqueMy house is to the right of the park
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are walking in a park.
- Javier¿Dónde está el banco de madera?Where is the wooden bench?
- LucíaMira, está a la derecha del árbol.Look, it is to the right of the tree.
- JavierAh, ya lo veo.Ah, I see it now.
- LucíaVamos hacia allá.Let's go over there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
