derecha
/de-REH-chah/
the right
As a noun, 'derecha' means 'the right' or 'the right-hand side', commonly used for directions, such as 'gira a la derecha' (turn to the right).
derecha(Noun)
the right
?direction or side
,the right-hand side
right turn
?in driving or directions
📝 In Action
La farmacia está a la derecha de la panadería.
A1The pharmacy is to the right of the bakery.
En la siguiente calle, gira a la derecha.
A1At the next street, turn to the right.
Mira a tu derecha, ¡allí está el mar!
A2Look to your right, there's the sea!
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
When used as a noun to mean 'the right side,' derecha is always feminine. You'll always see it with 'la' or after prepositions like 'a', as in 'la derecha' or 'a la derecha'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'a la derecha' and 'la derecha'
Mistake: "Mi casa está la derecha."
Correction: Mi casa está a la derecha. When saying something is located 'on the right', you need the little word 'a' before 'la derecha'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Essential for Directions
This is one of the first words you should learn for getting around. '¿Dónde está el baño?' (Where is the bathroom?) is often answered with 'A la derecha' or 'A la izquierda'.
When used as an adjective, 'derecha' means 'right', specifically when describing a feminine noun, like 'la mano derecha' (the right hand).
📝 In Action
Escribo con la mano derecha.
A1I write with my right hand.
Se me durmió la pierna derecha.
A2My right leg fell asleep.
La puerta derecha del coche no abre bien.
B1The right door of the car doesn't open well.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Adjectives in Spanish change to match the thing they describe. Derecha is the feminine form, used for feminine nouns like 'mano' (hand) or 'pierna' (leg). For masculine nouns like 'pie' (foot), you use derecho.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Mismatch
Mistake: "El ojo derecha me pica."
Correction: El ojo derecho me pica. Because 'ojo' (eye) is a masculine word, the adjective needs to be the masculine form, `derecho`.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
Unlike in English, Spanish adjectives usually go after the noun. So, while you'd say 'the right hand', in Spanish it's 'la mano derecha' (the hand right).
In a political context, 'la derecha' (the Right) refers to the conservative political wing.
📝 In Action
El debate fue entre un candidato de la izquierda y uno de la derecha.
B2The debate was between a candidate from the Left and one from the Right.
Las políticas económicas de la derecha suelen favorecer al mercado libre.
C1The economic policies of the Right tend to favor the free market.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning is completely dependent on the conversation. If people are talking about elections, government, or social issues, la derecha likely refers to the political Right.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: derecha
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'derecha' to describe something?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'derecha' and 'derecho'?
Great question! 'Derecha' is the feminine form, used either as a noun ('la derecha' - the right side) or as an adjective for feminine things ('la mano derecha' - the right hand). 'Derecho' is the masculine form, used as an adjective for masculine things ('el pie derecho' - the right foot). 'Derecho' can also be a noun meaning 'a right' or 'the law'.
Why is 'mano' (hand) feminine? It ends in -o.
'Mano' is one of the famous exceptions to the gender rule in Spanish. Even though it ends in -o, it's a feminine noun. That's why we always say 'la mano' and 'la mano derecha'. You just have to memorize this one!