How to Say "delayed" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “delayed” is “retrasado” — use this word when referring to something that is behind its scheduled time, most commonly for transport like flights or trains, or events..
retrasado
/re-trah-SAH-doh//re.tɾaˈsaðo/
Examples
El vuelo a Madrid está retrasado por mal tiempo.
The flight to Madrid is delayed due to bad weather.
Mi reloj está cinco minutos retrasado.
My watch is five minutes slow/behind.
La entrega de los materiales va muy retrasada.
The delivery of the materials is very delayed.
Use with Estar
When describing a temporary state of being behind schedule, use the verb 'estar': 'El tren está retrasado' (The train is delayed right now).
Agreement
Like most Spanish describing words, 'retrasado' must match the thing it describes: 'retrasado' (masc. sing.), 'retrasada' (fem. sing.), 'retrasados' (masc. plural), 'retrasadas' (fem. plural).
detenido
/deh-teh-NEE-doh//de.teˈni.ðo/
Examples
El tráfico estuvo detenido por un accidente en la autopista.
Traffic was stopped due to an accident on the highway.
El proyecto de construcción quedó detenido hasta el próximo mes.
The construction project was halted until next month.
Agreement is Key
When used as an adjective, 'detenido' must match the thing it describes in both gender and number: 'la obra detenida' (the halted work), 'los trenes detenidos' (the stopped trains).
Temporary vs. Permanent Stop
Mistake: “Using 'ser' (to be) with 'detenido' when describing a temporary stop, like traffic.”
Correction: Use 'estar' (to be) for a temporary state: 'El tráfico está detenido.' (The traffic is stopped right now.)
detuvo
/deh-TOO-voh//deˈtuβo/
Examples
El conductor detuvo el autobús de repente.
The driver stopped the bus suddenly.
Ella detuvo la grabación para hablar por teléfono.
She paused the recording to talk on the phone.
La policía detuvo el tráfico por el accidente.
The police halted traffic because of the accident.
Tense Identification
'Detuvo' is the simple past tense (preterite) used when talking about a single, completed action in the past by a third person (he, she, or formal you).
Irregularity Pattern
The verb 'detener' is irregular, following the pattern of 'tener' (to have). Notice the 'u' (detUvo, tUve) in the simple past.
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: “Using 'detenía' when referring to a single, quick action: 'Ella detenía el carro.'”
Correction: Use 'detuvo' for single completed actions: 'Ella detuvo el carro.' 'Detenía' describes continuous or habitual past actions.
Retrasado vs. Detenido
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