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A2 verb #7,000 am häufigsten 12 Min. Lesezeit

atrasar

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Erklärung atrasar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic and literal use of 'atrasar': setting back a clock. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the time changes twice a year. You will hear people say 'atrasar el reloj' (to set the clock back). It is a simple concept of moving the hands of the clock to an earlier hour. You might also see it in very simple sentences about being late, though usually you will use 'llegar tarde' at this stage. Think of 'atrasar' as the opposite of 'adelantar' (to move forward). Start by practicing simple phrases like 'Atraso mi reloj' (I set back my clock) or '¿Atrasamos la hora?' (Do we set back the time?). Focus on the present tense and the idea of time moving backwards. It is a useful word to know for basic survival Spanish, especially when dealing with schedules and appointments. Even at this early stage, knowing that 'atrás' means 'back' will help you remember that 'atrasar' means to move something 'back' in time.

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As an A2 learner, you can start using 'atrasar' to talk about delaying simple events. For example, you might want to 'atrasar una cita' (delay an appointment) or 'atrasar la cena' (delay dinner). At this level, you should also understand the reflexive form 'atrasarse', which means to fall behind or to be running late. If you are doing your homework and it is taking longer than expected, you can say 'Me estoy atrasando' (I am falling behind). You will also encounter 'atrasar' in the context of travel, such as a bus or train being delayed. Practice using it in the preterite tense to describe things that happened: 'Atrasaron el vuelo' (They delayed the flight). This level is about expanding from just clocks to simple daily logistics. You should also be able to recognize the noun 'atraso' (a delay). Understanding the difference between 'atrasar' (doing the delaying) and 'atrasarse' (being delayed) is a key goal for A2 students.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'atrasar' in a wider variety of tenses, including the imperfect and the future. You will use it to discuss project management and work schedules. For instance, 'Si no terminamos esto hoy, tendremos que atrasar la entrega' (If we don't finish this today, we will have to delay the delivery). You can also use it metaphorically to talk about progress. 'La falta de recursos va a atrasar el proyecto' (The lack of resources is going to set back the project). At this stage, you should also distinguish 'atrasar' from its synonyms like 'retrasar' and 'posponer'. While 'atrasar' is very common for clocks and rescheduling, 'posponer' is more formal. You should also start using 'atrasar' in the subjunctive mood: 'Espero que no atrasen la reunión' (I hope they don't delay the meeting). This level requires a more nuanced understanding of how delays affect plans and how to communicate those changes professionally.

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By B2, you should be using 'atrasar' to discuss more complex social and economic issues. It is often used in the context of development: 'La crisis económica atrasó el crecimiento del país por una década' (The economic crisis set back the country's growth for a decade). You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as passive 'se' or with various prepositions. You will also encounter it in literature and news reports where it might describe a 'retroceso' or a step backward in social progress. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'atrasado' (underdeveloped or late) and 'atraso' (backwardness). You should also be aware of regional variations; for example, how 'atrasar' might be used differently in Spain versus Latin America. At B2, you are expected to handle the word in debates about efficiency, history, and modernization, using it to argue how certain factors can 'atrasar' a society or an individual's career.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'atrasar' should be precise and stylistically appropriate. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in timing or complex logistical setbacks in professional environments. You might use it in the conditional perfect or the pluperfect subjunctive: 'Si hubieran sabido los riesgos, habrían atrasado la inversión' (If they had known the risks, they would have delayed the investment). You should also understand its use in idiomatic expressions and more obscure contexts, such as technical descriptions of machinery or astronomical events. In academic writing, you might use 'atrasar' to describe the delay of a physiological process or a chemical reaction, though 'retardar' might be more common. You should be able to discuss the philosophical implications of 'atrasar'—the idea of resisting the forward march of time or progress. Your mastery should allow you to choose 'atrasar' over 'retrasar' or 'postergar' based on the specific 'flavor' of delay you want to convey.

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At the C2 level, 'atrasar' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to articulate complex thoughts on historical regression, the slowing of time in physics, or the deliberate stalling tactics used in high-level negotiations. You should be able to recognize and use the word in all its nuances, including its rare or archaic forms. In a literary context, you might use 'atrasar' to describe a character's internal state—feeling 'atrasado' relative to their peers or their own expectations. You can analyze the etymology and how the word has evolved from its Latin roots to its current multifaceted usage. Your ability to use 'atrasar' should be indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, whether you are writing a technical report on economic 'atraso' or a poetic piece about 'atrasar el reloj de la vida'. At this level, the word is not just a verb but a conceptual building block for discussing the very nature of time and progress.

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atrasar in 30 Sekunden

Atrasar primarily means to delay or postpone something to a later time or date.
It is the specific verb used for setting back clocks (e.g., for Daylight Saving Time).
Metaphorically, it can mean to hinder progress or set back development in a society or project.
The reflexive form 'atrasarse' is used when a person or thing is running late or falling behind.

The Spanish verb atrasar is a versatile word primarily centered around the concept of time, specifically moving it backward or causing something to occur later than scheduled. At its most literal level, it refers to the physical action of moving the hands of a clock back. This is most commonly heard during the transition from daylight saving time to standard time in autumn. However, its utility extends far beyond horology. In everyday conversation, atrasar is frequently used to describe the act of delaying an event, a meeting, or a deadline. If a project is taking longer than expected, you might need to atrasar la fecha de entrega (delay the delivery date). It carries a sense of postponement that is often intentional or necessitated by external circumstances.

The Chronological Shift: When used with clocks, it means to set back. For example, 'Hay que atrasar el reloj una hora en octubre.' This is the direct opposite of 'adelantar' (to move forward).

Decidieron atrasar el inicio del partido por la lluvia torrencial.

Beyond time, atrasar can also imply a lack of progress or a regression in development. In a sociological or economic context, one might say a policy 'atrasa al país' (sets the country back), suggesting that it hinders modernization or growth. It is important to distinguish the transitive use (to delay something) from the reflexive form atrasarse, which means to be running late or to fall behind. While they share the same root, the reflexive version is what you would use if you personally are late for an appointment. In the business world, atrasar is a professional way to discuss rescheduling. It sounds more formal than just saying something will happen 'más tarde'.

Economic Context: In finance, it can refer to being behind on payments, though 'retrasar' or 'estar en mora' are also common. 'Atrasar los pagos' means to delay making payments that are due.

Esa vieja maquinaria solo sirve para atrasar la producción de la fábrica.

In summary, whether you are dealing with a watch that runs fast, a meeting that needs to move to next week, or a project that is hindering progress, atrasar is your go-to verb. It encompasses both the mechanical act of adjusting time and the metaphorical act of slowing down progress. Understanding its nuances helps you navigate both logistics and abstract discussions about development and efficiency in Spanish-speaking environments.

Reflexive Difference: Remember that 'atrasarse' (reflexive) means 'to get behind' or 'to be late', whereas 'atrasar' (transitive) means 'to delay something else'.

No podemos atrasar más la decisión final sobre el contrato.

El director pidió atrasar la conferencia hasta las tres de la tarde.

Si sigues interrumpiendo, vas a atrasar a todo el grupo de trabajo.

Using atrasar correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. Since it is a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object—the thing that is being delayed or set back. The structure is typically [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Direct Object]. For example, in 'La empresa atrasó el lanzamiento', 'la empresa' is the subject, 'atrasó' is the verb in the preterite tense, and 'el lanzamiento' (the launch) is the direct object. This pattern is consistent across various contexts, whether you are talking about time, events, or processes.

Setting Back Clocks: When the hour changes, we use 'atrasar'. Example: 'Esta noche atrasamos los relojes.' (Tonight we set the clocks back.)

Tuvimos que atrasar la salida del vuelo debido a la densa niebla.

Another common usage involves the infinitive after another verb. Phrases like 'querer atrasar', 'necesitar atrasar', or 'poder atrasar' are very common in professional settings. For instance, '¿Podemos atrasar la reunión media hora?' (Can we push the meeting back half an hour?). Here, the verb stays in its infinitive form while the auxiliary verb is conjugated. It's also important to note how atrasar interacts with time expressions. You can specify the duration of the delay using 'por' or simply stating the time: 'atrasar la cita dos días' or 'atrasar la cita por dos días'.

Rescheduling Events: Use it for appointments, weddings, or exams. 'El profesor decidió atrasar el examen final para el próximo lunes.'

No es bueno atrasar tus responsabilidades; es mejor hacerlas ahora.

In more complex sentences, you might use the passive voice or impersonal 'se', although this is less common with atrasar than with retrasar. 'Se atrasó la boda' (The wedding was delayed/put back). In this case, 'la boda' functions as the subject of the passive 'se' construction. For students, mastering the difference between 'atrasar' (to delay something) and 'adelantar' (to move something forward) is key to managing schedules in Spanish. Practice by looking at a calendar and shifting events: 'Voy a atrasar mi viaje una semana' vs 'Voy a adelantar mi viaje una semana'.

Abstract Delays: It can be used for development. 'La falta de inversión va a atrasar el crecimiento de la región.'

¿Crees que deberíamos atrasar el reloj de la cocina? Parece que va rápido.

Si no entregas los documentos, vas a atrasar todo el proceso legal.

El gobierno tuvo que atrasar las elecciones por motivos de seguridad.

In the real world, atrasar pops up in very specific, high-frequency situations. One of the most common is the airport or train station. While 'retraso' (noun) is used for delays, the verb atrasar is often used by staff or in announcements to explain that a departure time has been pushed back. You'll also hear it constantly in office environments. Project managers and team leads use it to manage expectations when deadlines are missed. 'Vamos a tener que atrasar la entrega' is a standard phrase in corporate Spanish when milestones aren't met on time.

The News and Media: Journalists use 'atrasar' when reporting on legislative votes, space launches, or international summits that have been rescheduled.

En las noticias dijeron que van a atrasar la reforma hasta el próximo año.

Another sphere where atrasar is essential is in the home, particularly concerning household chores or family events. If a dinner is running late, a parent might say, 'Vamos a atrasar la cena diez minutos'. In a more metaphorical sense, you might hear older generations using it to describe social changes they perceive as regressive. 'Esa ley nos va a atrasar cincuenta años' (That law is going to set us back fifty years). This usage highlights the word's ability to describe not just time, but cultural and social progress. It's also the standard term in watchmaking and jewelry shops; if your watch is fast, the jeweler will say it needs to be 'atrasado'.

Academic Settings: Students often ask: '¿Puede atrasar la fecha del examen?' (Can you push back the exam date?). It's a common negotiation tactic in universities.

El comité decidió atrasar la votación por falta de quórum.

Finally, you will encounter atrasar in sports. If a match is delayed due to rain or a technical issue, the commentators will use this verb. 'El árbitro ha decidido atrasar el comienzo del encuentro'. In summary, from the mundane task of fixing a wall clock to the high-stakes world of international politics and sports, atrasar is a high-utility verb that describes the universal experience of things not happening exactly when they were supposed to. It is a word that manages the friction between plans and reality.

Social Context: If someone is being slow and holding up a group, you might hear: '¡No nos atrasas!' (Don't hold us up!).

Mi abuelo siempre olvida atrasar el reloj en otoño.

Tuvieron que atrasar la obra de teatro porque el actor principal se enfermó.

Es mejor atrasar la mudanza hasta que pare de llover.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with atrasar is confusing it with the English word 'delay' in every context. While atrasar often means delay, it specifically implies moving something back on a schedule. If you mean 'to take a long time' to do something, the verb you want is 'tardar'. For example, saying 'Atrasé tres horas en llegar' is incorrect; you should say 'Tardé tres horas en llegar'. Atrasar is about the schedule point, while tardar is about the duration of the action.

Atrasar vs. Retrasar: These are often synonyms, but 'retrasar' is more common for flight delays or being late, while 'atrasar' is the only one used for setting back clocks. Confusing these isn't a huge error, but it marks you as a learner.

Error: El tren atrasó mucho. (Correct: El tren se retrasó / El tren tuvo un retraso).

Another common pitfall is the misuse of the reflexive form. Many learners say 'Atrasé a la clase' when they mean 'I was late for class'. The correct way to say this is 'Me atrasé para la clase' or simply 'Llegué tarde'. Remember: 'atrasar' needs an object (I delayed the meeting), while 'atrasarse' describes the subject's state (I got delayed). Furthermore, some students confuse atrasar with 'posponer'. While similar, 'posponer' is more formal and strictly means to put off until later, whereas atrasar can also mean to slow down progress or move a clock hand.

The Clock Confusion: In the spring, you 'adelantar' the clock. In the autumn, you 'atrasar' it. Learners often mix these up, leading to missed appointments!

Error: No quiero atrasar tiempo. (Correct: No quiero perder tiempo).

Finally, avoid using atrasar when you mean 'to cancel'. If a meeting isn't just being moved but is being called off entirely, use 'cancelar' or 'suspender'. Using atrasar implies that the event will still happen, just at a later time. Misusing this can cause logistical confusion in a workplace. Also, be careful with the preposition 'en'. You 'atrasas algo' (direct object), you don't 'atrasas en algo' unless you are using the reflexive 'atrasarse en el trabajo' (to fall behind in work). Precision with these small details will make your Spanish sound much more natural and professional.

Preposition Pitfalls: Incorrect: 'Atrasar de la cita'. Correct: 'Atrasar la cita'. No preposition is needed before the object.

No debes atrasar el pago del alquiler o tendrás problemas.

Si atrasas el despertador cinco minutos más, vas a llegar tarde.

El mal tiempo va a atrasar la cosecha este año.

Spanish offers several synonyms for atrasar, each with its own subtle nuance. The most common alternative is retrasar. In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but retrasar is often preferred for involuntary delays, like a flight delay ('el vuelo se retrasó'). Atrasar, on the other hand, is the exclusive term for clocks and is very common for intentional rescheduling. Another important synonym is posponer, which is the direct equivalent of the English 'to postpone'. It is slightly more formal and is used frequently in official documents and business settings.

Atrasar vs. Posponer: 'Atrasar' often implies moving something back on a timeline that is still continuous, whereas 'posponer' can mean putting it off to an indefinite future date.

Podemos atrasar la cita o simplemente posponerla para el mes que viene.

For more formal or academic contexts, you might use diferir or dilatar. Diferir is commonly used in legal or financial contexts, such as 'diferir el pago de impuestos' (to defer tax payments). Dilatar often implies a stretching out of time, sometimes with the connotation of unnecessary stalling. If you are talking about slowing down a physical process, retardar is an excellent choice. For example, 'retardar el envejecimiento' (to slow down aging). While atrasar could be used there, retardar sounds more scientific and precise.

Atrasar vs. Tardar: 'Tardar' is about duration (it takes time). 'Atrasar' is about the schedule (it moves the time). Don't swap them!

No quiero atrasar más este proyecto; prefiero terminarlo hoy.

On the opposite side, the antonym of atrasar is adelantar. If you need to move a meeting to an earlier time, you 'adelantas la reunión'. If you are setting the clock forward for spring, you 'adelantas el reloj'. Understanding these pairs (atrasar/adelantar) is fundamental for time management in Spanish. Lastly, in some Caribbean and Central American regions, you might hear the word demorar used frequently for delays. While in Spain demorar sounds a bit poetic or formal, in countries like Cuba or Colombia, it is a daily word used just like atrasar or retrasar.

Atrasar vs. Retroceder: 'Retroceder' is to move back physically. 'Atrasar' is to move back in time or schedule.

El jefe decidió atrasar la fecha límite una semana entera.

Es imposible atrasar lo inevitable; el tiempo sigue pasando.

¿Por qué quieres atrasar la boda hasta el próximo verano?

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

While 'atrasar' is the standard for clocks, the root 'atrás' is one of the most common spatial markers in Spanish, showing how deep the concept of 'backwardness' is tied to time and space.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /a.tɾa.ˈsaɾ/

US /a.tɾa.ˈsaɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-tra-SAR.

Reimt sich auf

pasar casar basar asar trazar amasar repasar desfasar

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (curled).
Aspirating the 't' (releasing a puff of air).
Stress on the first or second syllable instead of the last.
Merging 'atrasar' with 'atrazar' (though they sound identical, 'atrazar' is not a common word).
Confusing the 's' sound with a 'z' sound in regions that distinguish them (though 'atrasar' always uses 's').

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in context because of its similarity to 'atrás'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of conjugation and when to use reflexive vs transitive.

Sprechen 3/5

Flipped 'r' and stress on the end can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in announcements.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

atrás tiempo reloj hora tarde

Als Nächstes lernen

adelantar posponer retrasar tardar postergar

Fortgeschritten

diferir dilatar mora retroceder obstruir

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive vs Reflexive

Atrasar (transitive): 'Atraso la cita'. Atrasarse (reflexive): 'Me atraso'.

Preterite vs Imperfect

'Atrasé el reloj' (one time) vs 'Siempre atrasábamos el reloj' (habitual).

Subjunctive after doubt

'Dudo que atrasen el examen'.

Future with 'ir a'

'Van a atrasar la salida'.

Infinitive as subject

'Atrasar el pago es peligroso'.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Yo atraso mi reloj hoy.

I set back my clock today.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

¿Quieres atrasar la hora?

Do you want to set back the time?

Question with 'querer' + infinitive.

Nosotros atrasamos el despertador.

We set back the alarm clock.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

Ella atrasa la cita diez minutos.

She delays the appointment ten minutes.

Present tense, 3rd person singular.

No atrasas el reloj todavía.

Don't set back the clock yet.

Negative imperative (informal).

El profesor atrasa la clase.

The teacher delays the class.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

Ellos van a atrasar la fiesta.

They are going to delay the party.

Future with 'ir a' + infinitive.

Usted atrasa el pago hoy.

You (formal) delay the payment today.

Formal address, present tense.

Ayer atrasamos el reloj una hora.

Yesterday we set the clock back one hour.

Preterite tense, 1st person plural.

El mal tiempo va a atrasar el viaje.

The bad weather is going to delay the trip.

Future 'ir a' construction.

No quiero atrasar mi trabajo más.

I don't want to delay my work any more.

Negative construction with 'querer'.

¿Pueden atrasar la reunión de mañana?

Can they delay tomorrow's meeting?

Interrogative with 'poder'.

Me atrasé porque había mucho tráfico.

I was late because there was a lot of traffic.

Reflexive 'atrasarse' in preterite.

Atrasar las tareas no es una buena idea.

Delaying tasks is not a good idea.

Infinitive as a subject.

El jefe decidió atrasar la entrega.

The boss decided to delay the delivery.

Preterite of 'decidir' + infinitive.

Mis amigos siempre se atrasan.

My friends are always late.

Reflexive 'atrasarse' in present tense.

Si llueve, tendremos que atrasar el evento.

If it rains, we will have to delay the event.

Conditional sentence with future tense.

Espero que no atrasen el lanzamiento del producto.

I hope they don't delay the product launch.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Antes, siempre atrasábamos el reloj en marzo.

Before, we always used to set the clock back in March.

Imperfect tense for habitual actions.

Atrasar la decisión solo empeorará las cosas.

Delaying the decision will only make things worse.

Infinitive as subject with future tense result.

Le pedí que atrasara la cita para el viernes.

I asked him to delay the appointment to Friday.

Imperfect subjunctive in a request.

Se ha atrasado la construcción por la huelga.

The construction has been delayed due to the strike.

Present perfect with passive 'se'.

No deberías atrasar tus estudios por un trabajo temporal.

You shouldn't delay your studies for a temporary job.

Conditional 'debería' + infinitive.

Atrasamos la partida para esperar a Juan.

We delayed the departure to wait for Juan.

Preterite for a completed action.

La falta de inversión podría atrasar el desarrollo regional.

The lack of investment could set back regional development.

Conditional 'podría' expressing possibility.

Dudo que el gobierno atrase las elecciones generales.

I doubt the government will delay the general elections.

Subjunctive after 'dudar que'.

Haber atrasado el pago nos costó una multa.

Having delayed the payment cost us a fine.

Compound infinitive as a subject.

El director no quiere que nadie se atrase con los informes.

The director doesn't want anyone to fall behind with the reports.

Reflexive subjunctive after 'querer que'.

Atrasamos el reloj de la historia con esas políticas.

We set back the clock of history with those policies.

Metaphorical use of 'atrasar'.

Aunque atrasen el estreno, la película será un éxito.

Even if they delay the premiere, the movie will be a success.

Concessive clause with subjunctive.

Fue necesario atrasar la cirugía por una complicación.

It was necessary to delay the surgery due to a complication.

Impersonal expression 'fue necesario' + infinitive.

Si sigues así, vas a atrasar a todo el equipo.

If you keep going like this, you're going to hold up the whole team.

Transitive use meaning 'to hold up/delay others'.

La burocracia tiende a atrasar cualquier proceso de innovación.

Bureaucracy tends to delay any innovation process.

Generalization with 'tender a'.

Sería un error atrasar la implementación de las nuevas medidas.

It would be a mistake to delay the implementation of the new measures.

Conditional 'sería' with infinitive subject.

No creo que el senado atrase la votación sin una razón de peso.

I don't think the senate will delay the vote without a compelling reason.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

El descubrimiento de fallos técnicos obligó a atrasar el despegue.

The discovery of technical failures forced the delay of the takeoff.

Preterite 'obligó' + 'a' + infinitive.

Atrasar el reloj biológico es el sueño de la medicina moderna.

Setting back the biological clock is the dream of modern medicine.

Metaphorical/Scientific context.

Es inadmisible que se atrase el pago de las pensiones.

It is unacceptable for the payment of pensions to be delayed.

Subjunctive with impersonal 'es inadmisible que'.

La empresa no puede permitirse atrasar la producción otra semana.

The company cannot afford to delay production for another week.

Modal 'poder' + reflexive 'permitirse' + infinitive.

Hubiera sido mejor atrasar la inauguración hasta terminar la obra.

It would have been better to delay the inauguration until the work was finished.

Pluperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical.

La inacción política solo sirve para atrasar la resolución del conflicto.

Political inaction only serves to delay the resolution of the conflict.

Abstract usage in political discourse.

Resulta paradójico que el progreso tecnológico pueda atrasar la comunicación humana.

It is paradoxical that technological progress can set back human communication.

Complex subjunctive construction with 'resulta paradójico que'.

Cualquier intento de atrasar el proceso judicial será visto como obstrucción.

Any attempt to delay the judicial process will be seen as obstruction.

Future passive construction.

El autor utiliza el recurso de atrasar la revelación del misterio hasta el final.

The author uses the device of delaying the revelation of the mystery until the end.

Literary analysis context.

Atrasar el inevitable declive de la industria requiere medidas drásticas.

Delaying the inevitable decline of the industry requires drastic measures.

Subject is an infinitive phrase.

No se debe atrasar la justicia, pues justicia atrasada no es justicia.

Justice must not be delayed, for delayed justice is not justice.

Philosophical/Legal maxim.

La complejidad del genoma humano ha atrasado la cura de ciertas enfermedades.

The complexity of the human genome has delayed the cure for certain diseases.

Present perfect for a continuing state.

Atrasar la salida de los barcos fue una decisión estratégica durante la guerra.

Delaying the departure of the ships was a strategic decision during the war.

Historical narrative context.

Häufige Kollokationen

atrasar el reloj

atrasar la fecha

atrasar la entrega

atrasar el pago

atrasar el progreso

atrasar la salida

atrasar el estreno

atrasar el comienzo

atrasar una hora

atrasar el desarrollo

Häufige Phrasen

atrasar por fuerza mayor

— To delay something due to circumstances beyond one's control. Used in legal or formal contexts.

Tuvimos que atrasar el evento por fuerza mayor.

atrasar el calendario

— To push back scheduled dates. Common in project management.

Vamos a tener que atrasar todo el calendario de producción.

atrasar las agujas

— Specifically to move the hands of an analog clock back. A more descriptive way to say 'atrasar el reloj'.

Atrasa las agujas de ese reloj viejo, por favor.

atrasar la partida

— To delay a departure. Used for trips or starting a journey.

Atrasamos la partida para esperar a los rezagados.

atrasar el lanzamiento

— To delay a launch. Used for products, rockets, or campaigns.

La NASA tuvo que atrasar el lanzamiento por el viento.

atrasar la obra

— To delay a construction project or a play. Context-dependent.

La falta de cemento va a atrasar la obra.

atrasar el vencimiento

— To push back a due date. Used for bills or deadlines.

Pedí atrasar el vencimiento de mi tarjeta de crédito.

atrasar la resolución

— To delay a decision or solution. Often used in bureaucracy.

No deberías atrasar la resolución de este conflicto familiar.

atrasar el crecimiento

— To hinder growth. Used biologically or economically.

La mala alimentación puede atrasar el crecimiento del niño.

atrasar la cita

— To push back an appointment. Very common in daily life.

¿Te importa si atrasamos la cita para las cinco?

Wird oft verwechselt mit

atrasar vs tardar

Tardar is for duration (how long it takes), atrasar is for scheduling (moving the time).

atrasar vs retroceder

Retroceder is for physical movement backwards, atrasar is for temporal movement.

atrasar vs retrasar

Very similar, but retrasar is more common for flight delays, while atrasar is for clocks.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"atrasar el reloj de la vida"

— To wish to go back to a younger age or a simpler time. Poetic expression.

A veces quisiera atrasar el reloj de la vida y volver a ser niño.

literary

"atrasar los humos"

— To humble someone or make them less arrogant (less common, regional).

Ese fracaso le va a atrasar los humos un poco.

informal

"atrasar el paso"

— To slow down one's walking speed or progress. Literal and metaphorical.

Tuvimos que atrasar el paso para que el abuelo pudiera seguirnos.

neutral

"atrasar la llegada"

— To intentionally delay one's arrival to make an entrance (often used in social contexts).

Ella suele atrasar su llegada para ser el centro de atención.

neutral

"atrasar el juicio"

— To stall or delay making a judgment about someone or something.

Prefiero atrasar mi juicio hasta tener todas las pruebas.

formal

"atrasar el porvenir"

— To jeopardize or delay one's future success through bad decisions.

Si dejas de estudiar, solo vas a atrasar tu porvenir.

formal

"atrasar la jugada"

— To delay a move in a game or a strategic plan. Common in sports and business.

El equipo decidió atrasar la jugada para cansar al rival.

neutral

"atrasar el golpe"

— To delay a blow or an unpleasant event. Metaphorical.

Solo están intentando atrasar el golpe de la noticia.

informal

"atrasar la cosecha"

— To wait longer than usual to reap rewards or results. Metaphorical.

A veces es mejor atrasar la cosecha para obtener mejores frutos.

literary

"atrasar el reloj de la historia"

— To return to outdated social or political values. Very common in political commentary.

Esa ley es un intento de atrasar el reloj de la historia.

formal

Leicht verwechselbar

atrasar vs tardar

Both relate to time being 'late'.

Tardar refers to the amount of time an action consumes. Atrasar refers to moving a scheduled event to a later point.

Tardé una hora en llegar (It took me an hour). Atrasé la cita una hora (I moved the appointment back an hour).

atrasar vs retrasar

They are nearly synonyms.

Retrasar is often used for involuntary delays (traffic, weather). Atrasar is often for intentional rescheduling or clocks.

El tren se retrasó. Atrasamos el reloj.

atrasar vs adelantar

They are opposites but both involve changing a schedule.

Adelantar is to move earlier. Atrasar is to move later.

Adelantamos la cita a las 2:00. Atrasamos la cita a las 4:00.

atrasar vs posponer

Both mean to delay.

Posponer is strictly 'to put off'. Atrasar also includes the specific meaning of setting back a clock.

Posponemos el viaje. Atrasamos el reloj.

atrasar vs retroceder

Both mean 'to go back'.

Retroceder is physical movement. Atrasar is temporal or progress-related.

El coche retrocedió. El país se atrasó.

Satzmuster

Atraso + [reloj]

Atraso el reloj.

Atrasar + [evento] + [tiempo]

Atrasar la cita una hora.

Tener que + atrasar + [objeto]

Tenemos que atrasar la entrega.

Atrasar + [objeto] + para + [día]

Atrasar la reunión para el viernes.

Atrasar + el desarrollo/crecimiento

Atrasar el desarrollo económico.

Se + atrasó + [sujeto]

Se atrasó la boda por la lluvia.

Atrasar + la implementación/resolución

Atrasar la implementación de la ley.

Atrasar + el inevitable + [sustantivo]

Atrasar el inevitable final.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

atraso (delay, backwardness)

atrasado (latecomer, person who is behind)

Verben

atrasarse (to fall behind, to be late)

Adjektive

atrasado (delayed, late, underdeveloped)

atrasada (feminine form of delayed)

Verwandt

atrás (back, behind)

detrás (behind)

tras (after)

retrasar (to delay)

retraso (delay)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in daily life and business.

Häufige Fehler

Atrasé dos horas en llegar. → Tardé dos horas en llegar.
Atrasar is for scheduling; tardar is for duration.
Atraso a la clase. → Me atraso para la clase / Llego tarde.
You need the reflexive form 'atrasarse' to say you are late.
Atrasar de la reunión. → Atrasar la reunión.
Atrasar is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'de' before its object.
Atrasar el reloj adelante. → Adelantar el reloj.
Atrasar specifically means moving back. Moving forward is 'adelantar'.
El país está atrasar. → El país está atrasado.
To describe a state of being backward, use the past participle 'atrasado' as an adjective.

Tipps

The 'Atras' Connection

Always link 'atrasar' to 'atrás' (back). If you are moving a meeting back, you are 'atrasando' it.

Clock Rule

In autumn, you 'atrasar' (fall back). In spring, you 'adelantar' (spring forward). This is the same logic as in English.

Transitive vs Reflexive

Use 'atrasar' + [thing] to delay something. Use 'me/te/se atraso' to say you are late.

Formal Alternatives

In a professional email, 'posponer' often sounds slightly more polished than 'atrasar'.

Polite Requests

Use '¿Sería posible atrasar...?' to sound very polite when asking to reschedule.

Airport Alerts

When you hear 'retraso' or 'atrasado' in an airport, check your boarding pass immediately!

Regional Nuance

In Argentina and Uruguay, 'atrasar' can sometimes mean to be 'out of touch' or 'old-fashioned'.

Business Deadlines

Combine 'atrasar' with 'fecha de entrega' for the most common way to discuss late projects.

Don't use for duration

Never use 'atrasar' to mean 'to take time'. Use 'tardar' for that.

Abstract Progress

Use 'atrasar' in debates to describe how certain policies might hinder social progress.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'atrás' (back) + 'ar' (verb ending). To 'atrasar' is to move 'atrás' (back) in time.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant hand pulling the hand of a clock backwards. The hand is labeled 'ATRÁS'.

Word Web

reloj tiempo cita tarde atrás retraso adelantar calendario

Herausforderung

Try to use 'atrasar' in three sentences today: one about a clock, one about a meeting, and one about a personal habit.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Spanish adverb 'atrás' (back/behind), which comes from the Latin 'ad' (to) + 'trans' (across) + 'retro' (backwards).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To put or move something further back.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'atrasado' to describe a person or country, as it can imply 'backward' or 'underdeveloped', which can be offensive.

English speakers often use 'push back' or 'postpone'. 'Atrasar' is the direct equivalent for these in most contexts.

The change of time (cambio de hora) in Spain. Economic reports discussing 'atraso' in developing nations. Literary works using 'atraso' to describe rural life vs. city life.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Clock adjustment

atrasar el reloj
atrasar una hora
cambio de hora
horario de invierno

Work/Meetings

atrasar la reunión
atrasar la fecha límite
atrasar la entrega
atrasar el proyecto

Travel

atrasar la salida
atrasar el vuelo
atrasar la llegada
atrasar el viaje

Payments

atrasar el pago
atrasar la factura
atrasar el alquiler
atrasar el vencimiento

Social events

atrasar la boda
atrasar la fiesta
atrasar el partido
atrasar la cita

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Crees que deberíamos atrasar la reunión para que todos puedan asistir?"

"¿Ya atrasaste los relojes de tu casa por el cambio de hora?"

"¿Alguna vez tuviste que atrasar un viaje importante por un imprevisto?"

"¿Qué pasa si decidimos atrasar la entrega del proyecto una semana más?"

"¿Te molesta cuando alguien intenta atrasar una decisión grupal?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que atrasar un plan importante y cómo te sentiste.

¿Qué opinas sobre el cambio de hora? ¿Deberíamos dejar de atrasar los relojes?

Describe una situación en la que atrasar algo resultó ser una buena decisión.

¿Cómo manejas el estrés cuando te atrasas en tus responsabilidades diarias?

Imagina que puedes atrasar el tiempo. ¿A qué momento de tu vida volverías?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The correct and most common term for clocks is 'atrasar'. While 'retrasar' might be understood, 'atrasar' is the technical and standard verb used when the hour changes.

'Atrasar' is transitive, meaning you delay something else (e.g., 'Atraso la cita'). 'Atrasarse' is reflexive, meaning you yourself are late or falling behind (e.g., 'Me atrasé en el tráfico').

No, you should use 'atrasarse' or 'llegar tarde'. Saying 'Atraso' sounds like you are currently setting back a clock.

Yes, it is universally understood, though some regions might prefer 'retrasar' or 'demorar' for general delays.

You can say 'atrasar la fecha límite' or 'postergar el plazo de entrega'.

Yes, 'atrasar' is a completely regular -ar verb in all tenses.

The direct antonym is 'adelantar' (to move forward/earlier).

Yes, 'atrasar a alguien' means to hold someone up or make them late. 'No me atrasen, que tengo prisa'.

It refers to economic backwardness or underdevelopment, where 'atraso' is the noun form of the verb.

It follows standard -ar rules: 'No quiero que atrases el pago' (I don't want you to delay the payment).

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