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"Retrasado" is a form of "retrasado", an adjective which is often translated as "behind". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "retrasado" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
retrasado(
rreh
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trah
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sah
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doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. behind (in an activity)
Ando un poco retrasada con mis trabajos del curso.I'm a little behind with my coursework.
b. delayed
El vuelo llegó a tiempo, pero mi equipaje estaba retrasado.The flight arrived on time, but my baggage was delayed.
c. late
Ya estaba retrasada por el tráfico cuando se pinchó un neumático.I was already late because of the traffic when my tire blew out.
2. (finance)
a. backward
En el siglo XVII, Rusia era un país económicamente retrasado.In the 17th century, Russia was an economically backward country.
4. (extremely offensive) (intellectually disabled)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
a. retarded (extremely offensive)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
5. (extremely offensive) (person that is intellectually disabled)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
a. retard (extremely offensive)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.