Spanish · Travel & Getting Around

"Straight ahead" in Spanish: derecho

derecho

Say it: deh-REH-chohadverb/de.ˈɾe.tʃo/

Note: also: todo recto

Straight ahead in Spanish is derecho. You will also hear todo recto. Keep derecho separate from derecha.

On foot

Sigue derecho dos cuadras.
Keep straight ahead two blocks.
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How to pronounce derecho

Say it

deh-REH-choh

/de.ˈɾe.tʃo/

deh-REH-choh. Stress REH. Final oh.

"Straight ahead" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
derechostraight ahead

Common direction adverb.

todo rectostraight ahead

Clear alternative.

sigue derechokeep going straight

Walking directions.

vaya derechogo straight (usted)

Polite form for strangers.

How to use derecho in real life

  1. 1On foot

    Sigue derecho dos cuadras.

    Keep straight ahead two blocks.

    Sigue derecho.

  2. 2Taxi

    Derecho, por favor.

    Straight ahead, please.

    One-word derecho for drivers.

  3. 3Landmark

    El museo queda derecho, no a la izquierda.

    The museum is straight ahead, not on the left.

    Derecho vs left.

Mistakes English speakers make with derecho

Incorrect: Sigue derecha dos cuadras.

Correct: Sigue derecho dos cuadras.

Straight ahead is derecho, not derecha.

Incorrect: Camina a el derecho.

Correct: Camina derecho.

Use derecho alone; no a el.

Good to know

Derecho (straight) and derecha (right) sound close. Confirm derecho with a hand gesture if needed.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Walking to a plaza

  1. ChatPal

    Sigue derecho hasta la plaza.

    Keep straight ahead to the plaza.

  2. You

    ¿Solo derecho, sin girar?

    Just straight ahead, no turns?

  3. ChatPal

    Exacto. Luego me avisas.

    Exactly. Then let me know.

  4. You

    Voy derecho ahora.

    I'm going straight ahead now.

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"Straight ahead" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Straight ahead" in Spanish

Derecho or derecha?

Derecho means straight ahead. Derecha means right.

Is derecho formal?

Neutral. Vaya derecho is the usted form.

How do you pronounce derecho?

Deh-REH-choh. Stress REH in derecho.

Can I say todo recto?

Yes. Todo recto also means straight ahead.

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