Learning a new language always brings certain challenges, especially when a word has multiple meanings. Have you ever wondered how many meanings the word 'right' has in English and how it translates into Spanish?
'Right' is one of those words with multiple meanings that can cause confusion when speaking Spanish, as its translation varies depending on the context. In this article, we will explain all the uses and meanings of 'right' in Spanish, with practical examples to help you understand it easily. 😊
The word 'right' in English can have several meanings depending on the context. Some of its main translations into Spanish are:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Derecha | Right (direction) |
| Correcto/a | Right (correct) |
| Derecho | Right (legal right) |
| Exacto/a | Right (exact) |
| Justo/a | Right (fair/just) |
| Bien | Right (well, correctly) |
| Justo/Inmediatamente | Right (immediately, just) |
Let's now analyse each of these uses with examples. 🎯
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Indicates that something is done correctly:
Lo hiciste bien. → You did it right.
¿Estoy haciendo esto bien? → Am I doing this right?
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.
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.
Depending on the meaning you want to express, you should use the following translations:
| Spanish | English | Use |
| Derecha | Right (direction) | To indicate a geographical direction or a side of the body. |
| Correcto/a | Right (correct) | To express that something is correct or true. |
| Derecho | Right (legal right) | To refer to a privilege or legal norm. |
| Exacto/a | Right (exact) | To indicate precision. |
| Justo/a | Right (fair/just) | To refer to fairness or morality. |
| Bien | Right (well, correctly) | To indicate that something has been done correctly. |
| Justo/Inmediatamente | Right (immediately, just) | To refer to time or precise positioning. |
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! 🎉