Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Right in Spanish: Derecha, Correcto, Razón, and More
Derecho / Derecha · adjective / noun / adverb · deh-REH-choh / deh-REH-chah
Right translates to several Spanish words. For direction, use derecha. For correct, use correcto. For being right about something, use tener razón. And for rights (as in human rights), use derechos. Context determines which word fits.
deh-REH-choh (masculine) or deh-REH-chah (feminine) — the ch sounds like the English ch in 'church'
Gira a la derecha en la siguiente esquina.
Turn right at the next corner.
Right in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for right, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| derecho / derecha | right | deh-REH-choh / deh-REH-chah | Default, widely understood |
| correcto | right | right as in correct | |
| razón | right | as in tener razón (to be right) | |
| derecho | right | a right, as in human rights (derechos humanos) |
How Native Speakers Use Derecho / Derecha
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Giving directions
El banco está a la derecha, justo después de la farmacia.
The bank is on the right, just past the pharmacy.
La derecha is the noun form used for the right side or right direction.
Confirming correctness
Tu respuesta es correcta, buen trabajo.
Your answer is right, good job.
Correcto/correcta is the adjective for factual or logical correctness.
Being right in an argument
Tenías razón, el restaurante estaba cerrado los lunes.
You were right — the restaurant was closed on Mondays.
Tener razón is the idiomatic way to say someone is right about a claim or opinion.
Legal rights
Todos los ciudadanos tienen derecho a la educación.
All citizens have a right to education.
Derecho as a noun means a right in the legal or ethical sense.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Derecho / Derecha
Using derecha for correctness
Incorrect: La respuesta es derecha.
Correct: La respuesta es correcta.
Derecha means the right side or right-hand direction. For correct, you need correcto or correcta.
Saying soy razón instead of tengo razón
Incorrect: Soy razón.
Correct: Tengo razón.
Spanish uses tener (to have) with razón, not ser (to be). Literally you have reason, not you are reason.
Lock in Right 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 Derecho / Derecha used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using derecho / derecha in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Gira a la derecha en la siguiente esquina. 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 Right in Spanish
- How do you say right now in Spanish?
- Right now is ahora mismo or ahorita (informal, especially in Mexico). Neither uses derecha or correcto — it is an entirely separate expression.
- What is the difference between derecho and derecha?
- Derecho (masculine) can mean straight (sigue derecho — go straight), a right (el derecho a votar), or the field of law. Derecha (feminine) refers to the right-hand side or the political right wing.
- How do you say that's right as a confirmation?
- Common options include eso es, así es, exacto, or correcto. All work as quick confirmations in conversation.