dreapta

Dreapta is a Romanian term with several related meanings centered on orientation, direction and social-political categories. It denotes the right-hand side or direction, the side opposite the left, and is used in everyday speech to indicate position, as in la dreapta (to the right) or spre dreapta (toward the right). The word also appears in phrases describing the right part of something, such as mâna dreaptă (the right hand).

In geometry, dreapta designates a straight line, a one-dimensional locus extending indefinitely in both directions. It is a fundamental element in Romanian mathematical terminology, used alongside punct (point) and plan (plane). The term is common in school contexts and technical writing alike.

In politics, dreapta refers to the right-wing portion of the political spectrum. As a label, it encompasses a range of ideologies from liberal conservatism to classical liberalism and nationalism, typically emphasizing market-oriented policies, private property, and traditional institutions. The word is used in Romanian media and public discourse to contrast with stânga (the left). The sense of dreapta as a political category is distinct from, yet related to, its spatial and mathematical uses, reflecting a broader metaphor of direction and alignment.

Etymologically, the term is connected to the Romanian word drept (straight or correct) and has historical roots in the development of directional language. In Romanian, dreapta can thus refer to a position or side, a geometric line, or a broader political affiliation, depending on context.