recta
/REK-tah/
straight line
A straight line (una recta) in geometry is the shortest path between two points.
recta(noun)
straight line
?geometry or general direction
,straightaway
?a straight section of a road or track
final stretch
?the last part of a race or a project
📝 In Action
Dibuja una recta en el papel.
A1Draw a straight line on the paper.
El coche aceleró en la recta del circuito.
B1The car sped up on the straightaway of the track.
Ya estamos en la recta final del curso.
B1We are already in the final stretch of the course.
💡 Grammar Points
Nouns ending in -a
This word is a feminine noun, so you should always use feminine words like 'la' or 'una' with it.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Final' Recta
Use 'recta final' whenever you are talking about the last part of a long task, like the end of a semester or a work project.
The adjective 'recta' describes something that is straight and not curved or bent.
recta(adjective)
straight
?not curved or bent
,upright
?referring to posture
honest / moral
?describing a person's behavior
📝 In Action
Mantén la espalda recta.
A2Keep your back straight.
Es una mujer muy recta y trabajadora.
B2She is a very upright and hardworking woman.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
Since this is the feminine form of 'recto', only use 'recta' when describing feminine things like 'la calle' (the street) or 'una persona' (a person).
In baseball, a 'recta' is a fastball pitch that travels straight and fast toward the batter.
📝 In Action
El lanzador tiró una recta de 95 millas.
B2The pitcher threw a 95-mile fastball.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: recta
Question 1 of 1
Which phrase would you use to say you are finishing a project?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'recta' the same as 'derecha'?
In terms of direction, yes. 'Todo recto' or 'Todo derecho' both mean 'straight ahead'. However, 'recta' is usually the name of a line, while 'derecha' can also mean the 'right side'.