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retrasar means to delay — a common term in Spanish for Business. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 13, 2025

💼 Spanish for Business

retrasar

verb • /[reh-trah-SAR]/

to delay

Example:

No podemos retrasar la entrega del informe.

We cannot delay the report delivery.

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🧠 What does retrasar mean?

Retrasar means 'to delay' or 'to postpone' something. It's commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially when talking about schedules, projects, or events. It can refer to making something late or pushing it back to a later time. You can delay things yourself (e.g., a meeting) or things can be delayed by external factors (e.g., a flight due to weather).

📚 Extra examples

  • El vuelo se retrasó debido al mal tiempo.
    The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
  • Tuvimos que retrasar la reunión hasta la próxima semana.
    We had to delay the meeting until next week.
  • No quiero retrasar el proyecto más.
    I don't want to delay the project any further.
  • El tren se retrasó una hora.
    The train was delayed for an hour.
  • Retrasaron la entrega del paquete.
    They delayed the delivery of the package.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to delay' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to delay' in Spanish is 'retrasar'.
How do you pronounce 'retrasar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced reh-trah-SAR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'retrasar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El vuelo se retrasó.' (The flight was delayed.), 'Voy a retrasar la reunión.' (I'm going to delay the meeting.)
What is the English translation of 'retrasar'?
'Retrasar' translates to 'to delay' or 'to postpone' in English.
Does 'retrasar' change for gender or number?
No, 'retrasar' is conjugated based on the subject performing the action, but the verb itself doesn't change for gender or number of the object being delayed.
Is 'retrasar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'retrasar' is frequently used in everyday conversations, especially when discussing schedules and appointments.
Does 'retrasar' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. 'Retrasar' has a pretty straightforward meaning. While it can sometimes be used figuratively (like delaying a decision), it doesn't have any common slang or double meanings.
Is 'retrasar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, 'retrasar' is used with the same meaning and in a similar way across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'retrasar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense: retraso, retrasas, retrasa, retrasamos, retrasáis, retrasan. For other tenses, it follows regular -ar verb conjugations.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "retrasar"

Synonyms: aplazar, postergar, diferir
Opposites: adelantar, apresurar

💡 Did You Know?

While 'retrasar' usually refers to time, it can also be used metaphorically, like 'retrasar el progreso' (to delay progress).

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