retraso

/rreh-TRAH-soh/

delay

A person in a yellow raincoat waits forlornly at an empty bus stop while a large snail slowly crawls across their boot.

A common meaning of retraso is 'delay' in time or schedule, often leading to frustrating waits.

retraso(noun)

mA1

delay

in time or schedule

Also:

hold-up

a physical or logistical obstacle causing slowness

lateness

of an arrival or payment

📝 In Action

El vuelo a Madrid sufrió un retraso de dos horas.

The flight to Madrid suffered a two-hour delay.

Lamento el retraso, el tráfico estaba terrible en la carretera.

I apologize for the delay, the traffic was terrible on the highway.

Si hay un retraso en el pago de la factura, le cobrarán intereses.

If there is a delay in the payment of the bill, they will charge you interest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

demora (delay (often used interchangeably))
tardanza (lateness)

Antonyms

adelanto (advance (ahead of schedule))
puntualidad (punctuality)

Common Collocations

con retraso – late / with delay
sin retraso – without delay
sufrir un retraso – to suffer a delay

💡 Grammar Points

Using Prepositions

To say something is 'late' or 'delayed,' you often use the preposition 'con': 'Llegó con retraso' (He arrived late/with delay).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Preposition Error

Mistake: "El tren viene 'en' retraso."

Correction: The correct phrase is 'El tren viene 'con' retraso' or 'El tren está retrasado' (using the adjective form). Use 'con' for the noun 'retraso'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

'Retraso' is generally the standard, formal word for a delay, especially in official announcements (airports, banks).

Two healthy, tall saplings stand next to a third sapling that is noticeably shorter and less developed.

Retraso can also refer to a 'developmental delay' in medical or educational contexts.

retraso(noun)

mB2

developmental delay

medical/educational context

Also:

lag

general slowness or gap in progress

📝 In Action

El informe médico indica un ligero retraso en la adquisición del lenguaje.

The medical report indicates a slight delay in language acquisition.

La región sufre un retraso tecnológico considerable respecto a la capital.

The region suffers a considerable technological lag compared to the capital.

Word Connections

Synonyms

desfase (lag/gap)
subdesarrollo (underdevelopment)

Antonyms

avance (progress/advance)

Common Collocations

retraso mental – mental retardation (clinical term, often replaced by less stigmatizing terms)
retraso escolar – school lag/academic underachievement

❌ Common Pitfalls

Sensitivity Warning

Mistake: "Using 'retraso' or its related adjective 'retrasado' as a casual insult."

Correction: While sometimes heard in very informal or offensive speech, avoid using this word to call someone 'slow' or 'stupid,' as it refers to clinical conditions and is highly insensitive. Stick to using it for schedules or formal development discussions.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: retraso

Question 1 of 2

Choose the best translation for: 'El banco anunció un retraso en la apertura de la sucursal.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

retrasar(to delay) - verb

retrasado(delayed / late) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'retraso' lo mismo que 'demora'?

Sí, son sinónimos y a menudo se usan indistintamente. Sin embargo, 'retraso' es quizás más común en anuncios oficiales de transporte (como aviones o trenes), mientras que 'demora' se puede sentir un poco más formal o administrativo.

How do I use 'retraso' to say I am late?

You can say 'Llegué con retraso' (I arrived with delay/late). Alternatively, you can use the verb 'retrasarse': 'Me retrasé' (I delayed myself/I was late).