Inklingo

How to Say "straight" in Spanish

English → Spanish

recto

REK-toh/ˈrek.to/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'recto' when describing a path, road, or object that is not curved or bent, emphasizing a linear direction.
A storybook illustration showing a perfectly straight green path extending across a colorful field.

Examples

Sigue todo recto por esta calle.

Go straight ahead on this street.

Para llegar a mi casa, sigue este camino recto.

To get to my house, follow this straight path.

Tienes que sentarte recto para que no te duela la espalda.

You have to sit up straight so your back doesn't hurt.

La carretera es totalmente recta por muchos kilómetros.

The highway is completely straight for many kilometers.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'recto' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. If the noun is feminine (like 'línea'), use 'recta'.

Using the wrong form for feminine nouns

Mistake: “La línea es recto.”

Correction: La línea es recta. (The line is straight.)

derecho

/deh-REH-choh//deˈɾe.t͡ʃo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'derecho' to describe something that is not bent or curved, often referring to physical objects or a literal direction.
A simple illustration showing a perfectly straight blue line contrasting sharply with a wavy, crooked line.

Examples

Dibuja una línea derecha.

Draw a straight line.

Traza una línea derecha con la regla.

Draw a straight line with the ruler.

Siéntate derecho en la silla para no lastimarte la espalda.

Sit up straight in the chair so you don't hurt your back.

Mi hermano tiene el pelo muy derecho.

My brother has very straight hair.

'Derecho' vs. 'Recto'

Mistake: “Using 'derecho' and 'recto' as if they are perfectly interchangeable.”

Correction: 'Recto' is more for geometry and precise lines. 'Derecho' is more common for general straightness, like hair or posture. For directions, you almost always use 'derecho'.

directo

/dee-REK-toh//diˈɾekto/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'directo' to describe a route, journey, or connection that is without stops or detours.
A vibrant illustration showing a straight, short path leading directly to a destination, next to a much longer, curvy path, emphasizing the shortest route.

Examples

Quiero un billete directo a Barcelona.

I want a direct ticket to Barcelona.

Necesito un vuelo directo a Madrid, sin escalas.

I need a direct flight to Madrid, without layovers.

Este es el camino más directo para llegar al centro.

This is the most direct road to get to the center.

La conexión fue directa y funcionó muy bien.

The connection was direct and worked very well.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'directo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'directa' for feminine words (la ruta directa) and add '-s' for plurals (los vuelos directos).

Confusing Adjective and Adverb

Mistake: “Usar 'directo' para describir un verbo: 'Viajamos directo a la casa.'”

Correction: Use the adverb form 'directamente': 'Viajamos directamente a la casa.' (Though colloquially, 'directo' is sometimes used as an informal adverb.)

directamente

/dee-rek-tah-MEN-teh//di.ɾek.taˈmen.te/

adverbA2general
Use 'directamente' when indicating a direct movement or action towards a destination, without intermediaries or deviations.
A cheerful blue arrow moving in a perfectly straight, unobstructed line from a yellow starting point to a red circular target, illustrating movement without deviation.

Examples

El tren va directamente al aeropuerto.

The train goes directly to the airport.

El bus va directamente al centro de la ciudad.

The bus goes directly to the city center.

Hablé directamente con el gerente, sin pasar por recepción.

I spoke directly with the manager, without going through reception.

¿Podemos ir directamente al grano?

Can we get straight to the point?

Adverb Formation

Like many Spanish adverbs, 'directamente' is formed by adding '-mente' (which often works like '-ly' in English) to the feminine form of the adjective 'directa'.

Adjective vs. Adverb for Direction

Learners often confuse 'recto'/'derecho' (adjectives describing shape/orientation) with 'directamente' (adverb describing movement). Remember, 'directamente' modifies a verb indicating motion, while 'recto' and 'derecho' describe nouns like paths or lines.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.