Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Delay in Spanish: Retraso & Demora
Retraso · noun (masculine) · rreh-TRAH-soh
Retraso is the standard Spanish noun for delay. In Latin America, demora is equally common. The verb forms are retrasar and demorar.
rreh-TRAH-soh (retraso) · deh-MOH-rah (demora)
El vuelo tiene un retraso de dos horas.
The flight has a two-hour delay.
Delay in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for delay, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| retraso | delay | rreh-TRAH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| demora | delay | Latin America — very common | |
| atraso | delay | used in some regions interchangeably with retraso |
How Native Speakers Use Retraso
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Travel announcement
Pedimos disculpas por la demora en la salida del tren.
We apologize for the delay in the train departure.
Demora is preferred in Latin American airports and train stations.
Work deadline
Hubo un retraso en la entrega del proyecto por problemas técnicos.
There was a delay in the project delivery due to technical issues.
Retraso is standard in Spain and understood everywhere.
Using the verb
No quiero retrasarme más; vámonos ya.
I do not want to delay any longer; let us go now.
Retrasarse is the reflexive form meaning to run late.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Retraso
Using delay directly in Spanish
Incorrect: Hay un delay en mi paquete.
Correct: Hay un retraso en mi paquete.
Delay has no direct Spanish cognate. Use retraso or demora.
Confusing retraso contexts
Incorrect: El niño tiene un retraso en su paquete.
Correct: El paquete tiene un retraso.
Retraso can mean developmental delay in medical contexts. Be mindful of what noun it modifies.
Lock in Delay Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Retraso used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using retraso in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El vuelo tiene un retraso de dos horas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Delay in Spanish
- How do you say delay in Spanish?
- The two main options are retraso (Spain, universal) and demora (Latin America). Both are correct.
- What is the verb form of delay?
- Retrasar (to delay something) and demorar (to take time/delay). Retrasarse means to be running late.
- Is demora or retraso more common?
- It depends on region. Spain uses retraso. Mexico, Colombia, Argentina prefer demora in everyday speech.