Inklingo
← Dictionary

diestro

dee-ESS-troh/ˈdjestɾo/

right-handed

Also: on the right
A child holding a bright yellow pencil in their right hand, ready to draw on a piece of paper.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es diestro, pero yo soy zurdo.

A1

My brother is right-handed, but I am left-handed.

Uso la mano diestra para escribir.

A2

I use my right hand to write.

El botón está en el lado diestro del aparato.

B1

The button is on the right side of the device.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mano diestra – right hand

skilled

Also: expert, adroit
A skilled woodworker carefully carving a small wooden bird with precise tools.

📝 In Action

Ella es muy diestra con la guitarra.

B1

She is very skilled with the guitar.

Es un cirujano diestro y con mucha experiencia.

B2

He is a skilled surgeon with a lot of experience.

Se mostró diestro en el manejo de la crisis.

C1

He proved to be expert in handling the crisis.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • habilidoso (skillful)
  • experto (expert)
  • mañoso (handy/clever)

Antonyms

  • torpe (clumsy)
  • inexperto (inexperienced)

Common Collocations

  • diestro en – skilled at
  • diestro con – skilled with

bullfighter

Also: matador
NounmC1formal
A bullfighter in a traditional ornate costume standing with a red cape.

📝 In Action

El diestro recibió una ovación del público.

B2

The bullfighter received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Es el diestro más famoso de esta temporada.

C1

He is the most famous bullfighter of this season.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • matador (matador)
  • torero (bullfighter)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "diestro" in Spanish:

adroit→bullfighter→expert→matador→right-handed→skilled→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: diestro

Question 1 of 3

If someone is 'zurdo', what is the opposite word?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
destreza(skill/dexterity) — Noun
adiestrar(to train) — Verb
adiestramiento(training) — Noun
diestramente(skillfully) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'dexter', which means 'right side'. Historically, the right hand was considered the stronger, more 'correct' hand, which is why the word evolved to also mean 'skilled'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: dexterousItalian: destroFrench: dextre

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'derecho' to mean right-handed?

Not exactly. Use 'derecho' for directions (to the right) or laws/rights. To describe a person's hand preference, 'diestro' is the correct term.

Does 'diestro' always change to 'diestra'?

Yes, if you are describing a woman or a feminine noun. For example: 'una mujer diestra' or 'la mano diestra'.

Is 'diestro' related to 'sinister'?

Yes! In Latin, 'dexter' (right) was seen as good/skilled, and 'sinister' (left) was seen as unlucky or bad. Spanish kept 'diestro' for skill and 'siniestro' for left (or scary/unlucky things).