Spanish Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Spanish word
retardo
Pronunciation
IPA/reˈtaɾðo/
Meaning
- masculine noundelay
Example
Hubo un retardo en el tren esta mañana.
There was a delay on the train this morning.
More examples
El paquete llegó con retardo y el cliente llamó al soporte.
The package arrived with a delay and the customer called support.
Core concept
A later-than-scheduled arrival or occurrence.
Common phrases
un retardo de diez minutos
a 10-minute delay
un retardo en el servicio
a delay in the service
Similar words
retraso: Occurs later than planned for trains, meetings, or appointments.
demora: Takes longer than expected to complete a procedure or response.
atraso: Arrives or starts after the expected time.
Definition in Spanish
Demora en el tiempo esperado para que algo ocurra o llegue; acontecimiento o llegada posterior al momento previsto.
Word origin
The Spanish word derives from Latin retardare 'to make slow', formed from re- 'back' plus tardare 'to delay' and ultimately from tardus 'slow'.
Usage tips
- In everyday Spanish, speakers use retraso for trains and appointments, while retardo appears in timetables, legal or technical contexts and can be mistaken for the English slur.
Other meanings
- slownessnoun
Opposites
- puntualidadpunctualitynoun
- adelantoearlinessnoun
Related words
- retardardelayverb
- retardadodelayedadjective