derecha
“derecha” means “the right” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
the right, the right-hand side
Also: right turn
📝 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!
right
📝 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.
the Right
Also: the right-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.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: derecha
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'derecha' to describe something?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'directa', which is the feminine form of 'directus'. 'Directus' meant 'straight', 'direct', or 'right'. Over time, the idea of 'straight' became associated with the 'correct' or 'right' side, as opposed to the left.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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!