Spanish Conversation · Level 93
60 words
Spanish word
retraso
Pronunciation
IPA/reˈtɾaso/
Meaning
- masculine noundelay
Example
Disculpa por el retraso, había mucho tráfico.
Sorry for the delay, there was a lot of traffic.
More examples
El retraso del vuelo nos obligó a esperar en la sala.
The flight delay forced us to wait in the waiting area.
Core concept
A clock running late.
Common phrases
retraso del vuelo
flight delay
con retraso
behind schedule
Similar words
atraso: Does not make it by the scheduled start time.
tardanza: Shows up after the agreed time for an appointment.
demora: Needs more time than usual to process or finish a procedure.
Definition in Spanish
Estado o consecuencia de no cumplir un plazo u horario por llegar o suceder más tarde de lo previsto.
Word origin
It derives from the verb retrasar (re- 'back' + Latin trahere 'to pull'), whose sense 'pull back' extended to time so retraso names the state or result of being set back relative to a deadline.
Usage tips
- For quick apologies speakers say 'Perdón por el retraso' and formal notices use 'Lamentamos el retraso', and the adjective retrasado is considered offensive when applied to a person.
Other meanings
- arrearsnoun
Opposites
- puntualidadpunctualitynoun
Related words
- retrasardelayverb
- retrasadodelayedadjective