atrasar

Atrasar is a Spanish verb meaning to cause to be late or to delay, and more generally to fall behind or to slow a process. It can be used transitively, as in atrasar la entrega or atrasar el reloj, where an action is made later than planned. It can also be used reflexively to indicate that someone or something is lagging behind, as in me atraso o se atrasa.

Etymology and related forms: Atrasar derives from atrás, meaning behind, with the typical -ar verb suffix. It is closely related to retrasar, another common verb for delaying something; in many contexts the two are interchangeable, though retrasar can carry a stronger sense of postponement or setback. The noun forms include el atraso (the delay) and el retraso (also a delay), while the adjective atrasado describes someone or something that is late or behind schedule.

Usage and nuance: Atrasar emphasizes causing a delay or making something later, often in time-sensitive or logistical contexts. Atrasarse emphasizes the subject’s own lateness or lag, such as falling behind on work or a project. The verb covers a wide range of situations, from delaying deadlines and payments to slowing down a process or device.

Examples: Se atrasó la entrega de los productos al cliente. (The delivery to the customer was delayed.) El coche se atrasa en la carrera porque el motor falla. (The car is lagging in the race because the engine fails.) El pago fue atrasado por trámites administrativos. (The payment was delayed due to administrative procedures.)