What does derecho in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word derecho in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use derecho in Spanish.

The word derecho in Spanish means straight, right, straight, right, right to, right to do, law, straight, straight, finished side, right, fee, what gives you the right?, abandonment of rights, abandonment of rights, acquittal in law, abuse of process, action may be entitled to, voting stock, voting capital shares, in compliance with the law, in accordance to the law, friend with benefits, walk upright, arbitration in law, right-hand man, walk with your back straight, canon law, believe that you are entitled to, right to legal representation, right to strike, right to education, right to privacy, right to freedom, right to a response, right to reply, right to life, right not to testify, right to respond, right to reply, right of audience, administrative law, vested right, customs law, canon law, civil law, commercial law, common law, customary law, cause for action, right of admission, right to protection by the constitution, right to appeal, right of asylum, right to the pursuit of happiness, right of entry, right to strike, right of way, patent right, droit de seigneur,, ownership, right to inheritance, inheritance law, right of usufruct, right of way, federative rights, unalienable right, international law, labor law, maritime law, admiralty law, business law, natural law, notarial law, criminal law, Environmental Criminal Law, private law, procedural law, public law, statutory right, life interest, respect for the rights of others is peace, legal error, rule of law, be within 's rights, Faculty of Law, College of Law, legal grounds, grown, acting on their own behalf, is so unfair, rule of law, waive a right, reserve the right to refuse admission, retain the right to refuse admission, subject of law, have the right to, have the right to do, international treaty, illegal use. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word derecho

straight

adjetivo (recto, sin curvas)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
El tronco de ese árbol está derecho.
That tree trunk is straight.

right

adjetivo (en el lado diestro)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Metió gol con el pie derecho.
He scored a goal with his right foot.

straight

adverbio (directamente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ve derecho a la iglesia y luego gira a la izquierda por aquel callejón.
Go straight past the church and then turn left at that alley.

right

nombre masculino (gen pl (lo concedido al individuo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
¡Voy a hacer valer mis derechos como miembro de la sociedad! Eduardo defiende los derechos de los animales.
Eduardo stands up for animal rights.

right to

(poder para algo)

Antiguamente, a las mujeres se les negaba el derecho al voto.
Previously, women were denied the right to vote.

right to do

(poder para hacer algo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cuando insultaste a tu padre, perdiste el derecho a opinar en esta casa.
You lost the right to have an opinion in this house when you insulted your father.

law

nombre masculino (estudio de las leyes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho romano es la base del nuestro.
Roman law forms the basis of our legal system.

straight

adverbio (con buena postura)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Si te sientas derecho, te ves más elegante.
You look more elegant if you sit up straight.

straight

adverbio (recto, en la misma dirección)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Para llegar al hotel, debes caminar derecho por la avenida.
Carry straight on this street and you'll get to the hotel.

finished side

nombre masculino (tela: lado acabado)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Es más fácil distinguir el derecho de una tela si es estampada.
It's easy to tell the finished side of a fabric if it's stamped.

right

nombre masculino (justicia, razón) (permission)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
No hay derecho en que corten la luz sin avisar.
They have no right to cut off the electricity without warning.

fee

nombre masculino plural (pago de una tasa)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
He abonado los derechos del examen de conducir.
I paid the driving test fees.

what gives you the right?

expresión (¿qué te autoriza?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

abandonment of rights

locución nominal masculina (derecho: no se ejerce)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

abandonment of rights

locución nominal masculina (der: después de ejercido)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

acquittal in law

locución nominal femenina (derecho: por razón de ley)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

abuse of process

locución nominal masculina (derecho: ejercicio abusivo de derecho)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

action may be entitled to

(der: recurso disponible)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

voting stock

(fin: da derecho a votar en asamblea) (general)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

voting capital shares

locución nominal femenina plural (fin: dan derecho a voto en asamblea)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

in compliance with the law, in accordance to the law

locución adjetiva (conforme a la ley)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La decisión del alcalde no es una medida ajustada a derecho.
The mayor's decision is not a lawful measure.

friend with benefits

locución nominal con flexión de género (coloquial (para tener relaciones sexuales)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
No somos novios; somos amigos con derecho.
We aren't a couple: we are friends with benefits.

walk upright

locución verbal (caminar recto)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Después del tratamiento María anda derecha.
Maria has been walking upright since undergoing the treatment.

arbitration in law

locución nominal masculina (acuerdo extrajudicial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El caso se resolverá mediante un arbitraje de derecho.
The case will be settled by arbitration in law.

right-hand man

locución nominal masculina (persona de confianza) (be invaluable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
María es el brazo derecho del jefe. El presidente le encargó la difícil tarea a su brazo derecho.

walk with your back straight

locución verbal (andar con la espalda recta)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Camina derecha o te saldrá joroba.
Walk with your back straight or you'll get a hump.

canon law

nombre masculino (Iglesia: normas jurídicas)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Benedicto XV fue quien promulgó el primer código canónico.

believe that you are entitled to

locución verbal (tomarse atribuciones)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
José se cree con derecho para tratarme así, pero no se lo voy a permitir.
Joseph believes that he is entitled to treat me like that, but I won't stand for it.

right to legal representation

locución nominal masculina (der: asistencia de abogado)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to strike

(derecho fundamental) (employees)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to education

(derecho fundamental)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to privacy

(derecho: privacidad)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to freedom

(derecho fundamental)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to a response, right to reply

(derecho a que te contesten)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to life

(derecho fundamental)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right not to testify

(contra sí mismo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to respond, right to reply

(derecho a contestar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of audience

(Derecho: principio de defensa)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

administrative law

(leyes administrativas)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Iván es abogado especializado en derecho administrativo.
Ivan is a lawyer specializing in administrative law.

vested right

(der: no derogable por ley posterior)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

customs law

locución nominal masculina (derecho público: rama)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Las normas para la entrada y salida de mercancía en el territorio nacional conforman el derecho aduanero.
Regulations for the import and export of merchandise in a national territory adhere to customs law.

canon law

nombre masculino (derecho eclesiástico)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho canónico estudia la influencia judicial de la iglesia.

civil law

(legislación civil)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Marta es abogada especialista en derecho civil.
Marta is an attorney specializing in civil law.

commercial law

(legislación de comercio)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

common law

(der: aplicable a generalidad de casos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

customary law

nombre masculino (basado en costumbre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho consuetudinario varía de acuerdo a la cultura.

cause for action

(der: intervención órgano jurisdiccional)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of admission

locución nominal masculina (permiso para entrar o acceder) (allow or refuse entry)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Los establecimientos públicos pueden ejercer el derecho de admisión.
Public establishments can exercise the right of admission.

right to protection by the constitution

(der: protección derechos y libertades) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to appeal

(der: a recurrir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of asylum

locución nominal masculina (der: de refugiarse en otro país)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to the pursuit of happiness

(der: sobre el bien que recae) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of entry

locución nominal masculina (al alquilar local)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to strike

locución nominal masculina (der: medida de fuerza de trabajadores)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of way

(servidumbre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El granjero denegó el derecho de paso a los jinetes.
The farmer denied right of way to the horsemen.

patent right

(der: propiedad industrial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

droit de seigneur,

nombre masculino (derecho de cama) (literal, historical)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho de pernada ya no se usa mucho.

ownership

(der: usar, disfrutar y disponer de algo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right to inheritance

(der: derecho hereditario)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

inheritance law

(regulación de la sucesión)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cuando el viejo murió, la familia tuvo que contratar a un abogado especialista en derecho de sucesiones para que los ayudase a repartir su fortuna.
When their grandfather died, the family had to use the services of a lawyer specializing in inheritance law to help them divide his fortune.

right of usufruct

(der: disfrute bienes ajenos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

right of way

(servidumbre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

federative rights

(titularidad registral deportista) (sports)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

unalienable right

(der: irrenunciable, no enajenable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

international law

(legislación internacional)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La invasión de este territorio es una clara violación del derecho internacional.
The invasion of this territory is a clear violation of international law.

labor law

(legislación laboral) (US)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Los contratos de trabajo están regidos por el derecho laboral.
Work contracts are governed by labour law.

maritime law, admiralty law

(legislación del mar)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

business law

(regulación comercial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Todos los negocios que se realicen en el país deben atenerse al derecho mercantil.
All business conducted in the country must adhere to business law.

natural law

(derecho: previo al estatal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

notarial law

(legislación de notarías)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

criminal law

(legislación penal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho penal guía a los jueces a la hora de determinar las penas.
Criminal law guides judges when it comes to handing down sentences.

Environmental Criminal Law

nombre masculino (legislación)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

private law

(legislación para particulares)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El principio de igualdad es una de las bases del derecho privado.
The principle of equality is one of the foundations of private law.

procedural law

(regulación de proceso)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho procesal regula el proceso que debe seguirse para resolver un caso.
Procedural law regulates the process that must be followed to resolve a case.

public law

(relaciones con la Administración)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El derecho público se encarga de los casos en los que está involucrado el Estado.
Public law deals with cases in which the state is involved.

statutory right

(der: derecho contemplado, reconocido)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

life interest

(der: derecho de por vida)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

respect for the rights of others is peace

expresión (pide consideración)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

legal error

(der: recae sobre normas jurídicas)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

rule of law

(Estado regulado por la ley)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
España se constituye en un Estado de derecho.
Spain is constituted in a social and democratic rule of law.

be within 's rights

(tener derecho a ello)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Los clientes están en su derecho a quejarse si algo no les gusta. Ya sabes que estás en tu derecho a pedirles respeto a tus jefes.
You know you have every right to demand your managers' respect.

Faculty of Law, College of Law

(escuela de leyes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La directora de la Facultad de Derecho condecorará a los mejores estudiantes.
The director of the Faculty of Law will decorate the best graduates.

legal grounds

(razonamientos jurídicos)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
El juez explicará los fundamentos de derecho sobre los cuales se basa su decisión de absolver a la acusada.
The judge will outline the legal grounds on which he has absolved the accused.

grown

locución adjetiva (adulto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
No me digas qué hacer; soy un hombre hecho y derecho.
Don't tell me what to do. I'm a grown man.

acting on their own behalf

expresión (contrato: preámbulo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En el presente contrato, intervienen en su propio nombre y derecho las partes interesadas.
In this contract, the interested parties act on their own behalves.

is so unfair

locución interjectiva (coloquial (expresa indignación)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Es injusto que el fuerte abuse del débil. ¡No hay derecho!

rule of law

locución nominal masculina (der: teoría jurídica, fuentes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

waive a right

locución verbal (desistir de un derecho)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
El empleado renunció a un derecho por miedo a perder su trabajo.
The employee waived a right for fear of losing her job.

reserve the right to refuse admission, retain the right to refuse admission

locución verbal (poder para vetar o no la entrada)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Los clubes se reservan el derecho de admisión dentro de los límites legales.
Clubs reserve the right to refuse admission within legal limits.

subject of law

locución nominal masculina (der: quien puede adquirirlos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

have the right to

(tener acceso a algo)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Todos los niños tienen derecho a la educación.
All children have the right to an education.

have the right to do

(poder hacer algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Los mayores de edad tienen derecho a votar en las elecciones.
Adults have the right to vote in elections.

international treaty

(derecho: convenio internacional)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

illegal use

(der: uso ilegítimo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

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Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.