How to Say "right" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “right” is “derecho” — use this when referring to the opposite direction of left.
derecho
deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo
Examples
Gira a la derecha en la próxima calle.
Turn right at the next street.
Levanta la mano derecha, por favor.
Raise your right hand, please.
El baño está en el lado derecho del pasillo.
The bathroom is on the right side of the hallway.
Todos los niños tienen derecho a la educación.
All children have the right to an education.
Matching the Noun
Like most adjectives, 'derecho' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'derecho' for masculine things (el lado derecho) and 'derecha' for feminine things (la mano derecha).
razón
Examples
Creo que tienes razón.
I think you are right.
justo
HOOS-tohˈxusto
Examples
Llegué justo a tiempo.
I arrived right on time.
El profesor es muy justo con todos los estudiantes.
The teacher is very fair with all the students.
Necesito la cantidad justa de azúcar para la receta.
I need the exact amount of sugar for the recipe.
Estos pantalones me quedan un poco justos.
These pants are a bit tight on me.
Making it Match: Gender and Number
When 'justo' is used to describe something (as an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. It changes its ending: justo (for masculine things), justa (for feminine things), justos (for masculine plural), and justas (for feminine plural).
The Form That Never Changes
When 'justo' works as an adverb (telling you how, when, or where something happens), it never changes its ending. It's always 'justo', no matter what you're talking about.
Using 'justo' for 'only'
Mistake: “Quiero justo un café.”
Correction: Quiero solo un café. (I only want one coffee.) Use 'solo' or 'solamente' when you mean 'only' or 'just' in the sense of quantity.
correcto
ko-rreh-ktohkoˈrekto
Examples
Tu respuesta es correcta.
Your answer is correct.
¿Es este el camino correcto al centro?
Is this the right path to downtown?
El uso correcto de las herramientas es fundamental.
The correct use of the tools is fundamental.
Gender Agreement
This word changes to 'correcta' when describing feminine things, like 'una respuesta correcta' or 'una dirección correcta'.
Using with 'Ser'
We usually use this with 'ser' (to be) because a fact being right is seen as an essential characteristic.
Don't use for 'The Right Side'
Mistake: “Gira a la correcta.”
Correction: Gira a la derecha.
mismo
mees-mohˈmizmo
Examples
Lo quiero ahora mismo.
I want it right now.
Necesito el informe ahora mismo.
I need the report right now.
Dejé las llaves aquí mismo, sobre la mesa.
I left the keys right here, on the table.
Mañana mismo te llamo sin falta.
First thing tomorrow I'll call you without fail.
The Unchanging 'Mismo'
When used like this to emphasize a time or place (e.g., 'ahora', 'aquí'), 'mismo' is an adverb and it never changes. It's always 'mismo', never 'misma' or 'mismos'.
Trying to Change It
Mistake: “Vuelvo ahora misma.”
Correction: Vuelvo ahora mismo. (When it means 'right now', it doesn't change for gender.)
bien
byenˈbjen
Examples
—¿Vamos al cine? —¡Bien!
—Shall we go to the cinema? —Okay!
—¿Nos vemos a las cinco? —¡Bien!
—Shall we meet at five? —Okay!
Bien, empecemos con la lección de hoy.
Right, let's start with today's lesson.
—Terminé la tarea. —Bien.
—I finished the homework. —Good.
claro
KLAH-rohˈkla.ɾo
Examples
- ¿Puedes ayudarme? - ¡Claro!
- Can you help me? - Of course!
- ¿Me ayudas? - ¡Claro!
- Can you help me? - Of course!
Claro que sí, puedes contar conmigo.
Of course, you can count on me.
Claro, lo entiendo perfectamente.
Right, I understand it perfectly.
indicado
een-dee-KAH-dohindiˈkaðo
Examples
Este es el momento indicado para invertir.
This is the right moment to invest.
Este tipo de calzado es el más indicado para caminar en la montaña.
This type of footwear is the most suitable for walking in the mountains.
¿Cuál es el tratamiento indicado para esta enfermedad?
What is the appropriate treatment for this illness?
Llegaste en el momento indicado.
You arrived at the right time.
Changing Forms
Like many Spanish words that describe things (adjectives), 'indicado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'el libro indicado' (masculine singular), 'la hora indicada' (feminine singular), 'los pasos indicados' (masculine plural).
exacta
ehk-SAHK-tahekˈsakta
Examples
Necesito la medida exacta.
I need the exact measurement.
Necesito la medida exacta para el pastel.
I need the exact measurement for the cake.
La hora de llegada fue exacta: las dos en punto.
The arrival time was exact: two o'clock sharp.
Su descripción de la casa era muy exacta.
Her description of the house was very accurate.
Gender Agreement
Since 'exacta' ends in -a, it is the feminine form. You must use it when describing feminine nouns (like 'la hora' or 'la respuesta'). For masculine nouns (like 'el número'), use 'exacto'.
Placement
This adjective usually follows the noun it describes: 'la cantidad exacta' (the exact quantity).
Using the wrong form with feminine nouns
Mistake: “La información exacto.”
Correction: La información exacta. (Information is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.)
derecho
deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo
Examples
Todos tienen derecho a la libertad de expresión.
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.
Levanta la mano derecha, por favor.
Raise your right hand, please.
El baño está en el lado derecho del pasillo.
The bathroom is on the right side of the hallway.
Todos los niños tienen derecho a la educación.
All children have the right to an education.
Matching the Noun
Like most adjectives, 'derecho' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'derecho' for masculine things (el lado derecho) and 'derecha' for feminine things (la mano derecha).
recto
REK-tohˈrek.to
Examples
Dibuja un ángulo recto.
Draw a right angle.
La escuadra ayuda a dibujar un ángulo recto perfecto.
The square helps to draw a perfect right angle.
Cada esquina de la habitación forma un ángulo recto.
Every corner of the room forms a right angle.
Fixed Phrase
In geometry, 'ángulo recto' is a fixed term meaning 90 degrees.
justo
HOOS-tohˈxusto
Examples
El árbitro fue justo en su decisión.
The referee was fair in his decision.
El profesor es muy justo con todos los estudiantes.
The teacher is very fair with all the students.
Necesito la cantidad justa de azúcar para la receta.
I need the exact amount of sugar for the recipe.
Estos pantalones me quedan un poco justos.
These pants are a bit tight on me.
Making it Match: Gender and Number
When 'justo' is used to describe something (as an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. It changes its ending: justo (for masculine things), justa (for feminine things), justos (for masculine plural), and justas (for feminine plural).
The Form That Never Changes
When 'justo' works as an adverb (telling you how, when, or where something happens), it never changes its ending. It's always 'justo', no matter what you're talking about.
Using 'justo' for 'only'
Mistake: “Quiero justo un café.”
Correction: Quiero solo un café. (I only want one coffee.) Use 'solo' or 'solamente' when you mean 'only' or 'just' in the sense of quantity.
facultad
fah-kool-TAHDfa.kulˈtað
Examples
El médico perdió la facultad de hablar.
The doctor lost the ability to speak.
Perdió la facultad de movimiento tras el accidente.
She lost the ability to move after the accident.
El director tiene la facultad de contratar y despedir personal.
The director has the power (or authority/right) to hire and fire staff.
La facultad de razonar es lo que nos distingue.
The capacity for reason is what distinguishes us.
Using 'Tener la facultad'
When talking about having the right or authority to do something, use 'tener la facultad de' followed by the action (in the infinitive form).
mero
MEH-rohˈmeɾo
Examples
Lo hizo por el mero hecho de ayudar.
He did it for the mere fact of helping.
Lo hice por el mero placer de viajar.
I did it for the mere pleasure of traveling.
Nos vemos en el mero centro de la plaza.
I'll see you right in the center of the square.
Él es el mero jefe de la empresa.
He is the main boss of the company.
Changing for Gender
Since this is an adjective, remember to change the ending to 'mera' if the thing you are describing is feminine, like 'la mera verdad'.
Position Matters
When this word comes before a person or thing, it usually adds emphasis ('the very' or 'the mere') rather than describing a physical quality.
Using 'mero' for 'merely'
Mistake: “Es mero una broma.”
Correction: Es meramente una broma or Solo es una broma.
Right vs. Correct: Dirección vs. Verdad
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