Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Delayed in Spanish: Retrasado
Retrasado · adjective · reh-trah-SAH-doh
The most direct Spanish translation for delayed is retrasado, from the verb retrasar (to delay). Alternatives like demorado and atrasado are also widely used, with regional preferences varying across the Spanish-speaking world. An important note: when describing people, retrasado can carry an offensive connotation related to intellectual disability, so context matters greatly.
reh-trah-SAH-doh
El vuelo está retrasado por mal tiempo.
The flight is delayed due to bad weather.
Delayed in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for delayed, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| retrasado | delayed | reh-trah-SAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| demorado | delayed | Common in Latin America, especially Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico | |
| atrasado | delayed | Means behind schedule; widely understood across all regions | |
| pospuesto | delayed | Means postponed; implies rescheduling, not just lateness |
How Native Speakers Use Retrasado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Airport announcement
Pasajeros del vuelo 402: su salida está demorada cuarenta minutos.
Passengers on flight 402: your departure is delayed forty minutes.
Travel announcement using demorada, common in Latin American airports.
Work deadline
La entrega del proyecto está atrasada una semana.
The project delivery is a week behind schedule.
Professional setting describing a missed deadline.
Public transit
El tren llegó retrasado y perdí la conexión.
The train arrived late and I missed my connection.
Everyday commuter experience with delayed transportation.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Retrasado
Using retrasado to describe a person casually
Incorrect: Juan es retrasado, siempre llega tarde.
Correct: Juan siempre llega tarde. / Juan es muy impuntual.
Calling a person retrasado is widely understood as an offensive slur referring to intellectual disability. To say someone is always late, use impuntual or simply describe the behavior.
Confusing pospuesto with retrasado
Incorrect: El tren de las 9 fue pospuesto media hora.
Correct: El tren de las 9 fue retrasado media hora.
Pospuesto implies the event was deliberately moved to a later time or date. A train running behind schedule is retrasado or demorado, not pospuesto.
Lock in Delayed 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 Retrasado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using retrasado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El vuelo está retrasado por mal tiempo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Delayed in Spanish
- Is retrasado offensive in Spanish?
- When applied to schedules, flights, or projects, retrasado is perfectly neutral. However, when used to describe a person, it can be deeply offensive, as it has historically been used as a slur against people with intellectual disabilities. Always use care with this word around people.
- What is the difference between retrasado and demorado?
- Both mean delayed and are often interchangeable. Retrasado is more common in Spain, while demorado is preferred in much of Latin America, especially in Argentina and Colombia. Both are correct and widely understood.
- How do you say 'the flight has been delayed' in Spanish?
- You can say 'El vuelo ha sido retrasado' or 'El vuelo está retrasado.' In Latin America, 'El vuelo está demorado' is equally natural. All three are correct.