'Right' in Spanish: All its meanings and uses ✨

🤔 What does "right" mean in Spanish? 

The word 'right' in English can have several meanings depending on the context. Some of its main translations into Spanish are:

Let's now analyse each of these uses with examples. 🎯

🚦 Which side is 'right' in Spanish? 

 When 'right' refers to a direction, it is translated into Spanish as 'derecha':

👉 Gira a la derecha en la esquina. → Turn right at the corner.

👉  Tu teléfono está en el lado derecho de la mesa. → Your phone is on the right side of the table.

🧐 When is 'right' used? 

✅ As 'correcto/a' 

It is used to indicate that something is true or correct:

¡Es correcto! → That's right!

Tienes razón sobre esto. → You are right about this.

⚖️ As 'derecho' 

Refers to the rights or privileges of a person:

La libertad de expresión es un derecho fundamental. → Freedom of speech is a fundamental right.

Todos tienen derecho a la educación. → Everyone has the right to education.

🎯 As 'exacto/a' 

Used to emphasise that something is precise or correct:

Esa es la respuesta exacta. → That's the right answer.

Este es el lugar exacto. → This is the right place.

⚖️ As 'justo/a' 

Used to indicate that something is morally fair or ethical:

No es justo mentir. → It’s not right to lie.

Lucharon por sus derechos porque era lo justo. → They fought for their rights because it was the right thing to do.

👍 As 'bien'

Indicates that something is done correctly:

Lo hiciste bien. → You did it right.

¿Estoy haciendo esto bien? → Am I doing this right?

⏳ As 'justo' / 'inmediatamente' 

Used to denote immediacy or precision in time or position:

Te llamaré justo después de la reunión. → I’ll call you right after the meeting.

Ella estaba justo a mi lado. → She was standing right next to me.

💬 Common expressions with 'right' in Spanish 

Here are some common idiomatic expressions in Spanish that can help students translate 'right' in different contexts:

👉 Estar en su derecho → To be within one's rights

Está en su derecho de reclamar → He is within his rights to complain.

👉 Tener razón → To be right

Creo que tienes razón en esto → I think you are right about this.

👉 En el lado derecho → On the right side

Siempre duerme en el lado derecho de la cama → He always sleeps on the right side of the bed.

👉 Hacer lo correcto → To do the right thing

A veces es difícil hacer lo correcto → Sometimes it's hard to do the right thing.

👉 Ser la mano derecha de alguien → To be someone's right-hand person

Ella es la mano derecha del jefe → She is the boss’s right-hand person.

👉 De inmediato / Ahora mismo → Right now

Voy para allá justo ahora → I'm going there right now.

✍️ How do you write 'right' in Spanish?

Depending on the meaning you want to express, you should use the following translations:

💪 TIME TO PRACTICE 

Complete the following sentences with the correct translation of 'right':

✍️ Now that you know all the meanings of 'right' in Spanish, practise with your own examples and keep improving your Spanish! 🎉