How to Say "upright" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “upright” is “derecho” — use 'derecho' when describing a person's physical posture as straight or not leaning, or for something that is geometrically straight like a line..
derecho
/deh-REH-choh//deˈɾe.t͡ʃo/
Examples
El soldado se mantuvo derecho frente al general.
The soldier stood upright in front of the general.
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'.
honesto
oh-NES-toh/oˈnesto/
Examples
Es una persona honesta que siempre dice la verdad.
He is an honest person who always tells the truth.
Mi hermano es muy honesto y nunca miente.
My brother is very honest and never lies.
¿Puedes darme tu opinión honesta sobre este vestido?
Can you give me your honest opinion on this dress?
Necesitamos un gobierno honesto que trabaje para el pueblo.
We need an honest government that works for the people.
Gender and Number
Since 'honesto' is a describing word, it must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un hombre honesto,' 'una mujer honesta,' 'unos chicos honestos,' 'unas chicas honestas'.
Using ESTAR instead of SER
Mistake: “Soy honesto (I am honest) vs. Estoy honesto (Incorrect).”
Correction: Always use 'ser' (Soy, Eres, Es, etc.) with 'honesto' because honesty is considered a permanent part of someone's character, not a temporary mood or state.
levantado
leh-vahn-TAH-doh/le.βanˈta.ðo/
Examples
El telón del teatro está levantado.
The theater curtain is raised.
El puente móvil está levantado para que pasen los barcos.
The drawbridge is raised so the boats can pass.
Tiene el cuello levantado por el frío.
He has his collar turned up because of the cold.
Agreeing the Adjective
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'levantado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la mano levantada', 'los brazos levantados'.
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: “Using 'ser' (El puente es levantado) when describing a temporary state.”
Correction: Always use 'estar' (El puente está levantado) to describe the current position or state resulting from an action.
moral
moh-RAHL/moˈɾal/
Examples
Fue una decisión moralmente correcta ayudar a los necesitados.
It was a morally upright decision to help those in need.
Tomar esa decisión fue un acto muy moral.
Making that decision was a very moral act.
Necesitamos un líder moral que nos guíe.
We need an ethical leader to guide us.
Su comportamiento siempre ha sido moralmente correcto.
His behavior has always been morally correct.
Adjective Form
As an adjective, 'moral' is one of those words that stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine ('el acto moral') or feminine ('la obligación moral').
Confusing Adjective and Noun
Mistake: “La persona tiene mucho moral.”
Correction: La persona es muy moral. (The person is very ethical.) The noun 'moral' usually means 'morale' or 'ethics,' not 'ethical person.'
noble
/NO-bleh//ˈnoβle/
Examples
Fue un gesto noble ofrecer su ayuda sin esperar nada a cambio.
It was a noble gesture to offer his help without expecting anything in return.
Fue un gesto muy noble de su parte ayudar a los más necesitados.
It was a very noble gesture on his part to help those most in need.
Mi perro es muy noble y nunca muerde a nadie.
My dog is very gentle/kind-hearted and never bites anyone.
Ella tiene un corazón noble; siempre perdona los errores de los demás.
She has a noble heart; she always forgives the mistakes of others.
Adjective Form
Since 'noble' ends in the letter -e, it is one of the adjectives that stays the same whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el hombre noble' and 'la mujer noble').
recto
REK-toh/ˈrek.to/
Examples
El juez es conocido por ser un hombre recto.
The judge is known for being an upright man.
Es un hombre recto y siempre cumple su palabra.
He is an upright man and always keeps his word.
Buscamos un líder con un carácter recto y principios firmes.
We are looking for a leader with an honest character and firm principles.
Permanent Quality
When describing permanent moral qualities, 'recto' is always used with the verb 'ser' (to be) because it defines the person's nature.
honrado
ohn-RAH-doh/onˈraðo/
Examples
A pesar de su pobreza, siempre fue un comerciante honrado.
Despite his poverty, he was always an honorable merchant.
Mi abuelo era un sastre honrado que siempre cobraba un precio justo.
My grandfather was an honest tailor who always charged a fair price.
Necesitamos políticos honrados que digan la verdad.
We need honorable politicians who tell the truth.
Ella es una mujer honrada, puedes confiar en ella.
She is an honest woman, you can trust her.
Changing Endings
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'honrado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'honrada' (feminine singular), 'honrados' (masculine plural), and 'honradas' (feminine plural).
Confusing 'Honesto' and 'Honrado'
Mistake: “Using 'honesto' only, when 'honrado' might be better.”
Correction: 'Honrado' often carries a stronger sense of integrity and respectability, especially regarding business or public life, while 'honesto' focuses more on simple truthfulness.
Character vs. Posture
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