retrasar
verbCEFR B2
What does “retrasar” mean in English?
to delay, to set back
to delay, to set back (to make something happen later; retrasar un proyecto / apertura / proceso)
Example sentences
Las lluvias torrenciales retrasaron la apertura de la línea de metro durante varios meses.
The torrential rains delayed the opening of the metro line by several months.
El proceso de aprobación ha retrasado considerablemente la comercialización del medicamento.
The approval process has considerably delayed the commercialisation of the medicine.
El mal tiempo retrasó la salida del vuelo más de dos horas sin que la aerolínea ofreciera explicaciones.
The bad weather delayed the flight's departure by more than two hours without the airline offering any explanation.
How to use it
Retrasar means 'to delay' or 'to set back' — causing something to happen later than planned. Takes a direct object: retrasar el proyecto, retrasar la apertura. Distinguish from aplazar (postpone to a specific new date) and demorar (delay, more Latin American). The reflexive retrasarse means 'to be late' or 'to fall behind'.
Common mistake
Retrasar vs. aplazar: retrasar is to delay in a vague, often unintentional way; aplazar is to formally postpone to a specific new date. Retrasarse (reflexive) = to be late (el vuelo se retrasó = the flight was delayed). Retrasar takes no preposition: retrasar el proyecto (not *retrasar en el proyecto).