Spanish Phrase
Los vuelos están retrasados.
Meaning
The sentence means “The flights are delayed.” It conveys that the scheduled departure or arrival times of the flights have been pushed back, usually due to weather, technical issues, or air‑traffic control.
When to use
Use this phrase at the airport, when checking a flight board, or when informing a fellow traveler that the flight you were expecting will not leave on time. It works both in formal announcements and casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Losvuelosestánretrasados
Definite Article (Los)
Los is the masculine plural definite article, used before plural nouns like vuelos.
Noun (vuelos)
Vuelos is a masculine plural noun meaning “flights.”
Verb estar (están)
Están is the third‑person plural present of estar, used for temporary states such as a delay.
Past Participle as Adjective (retrasados)
Retrasados is the masculine plural form of the past participle retrasar, functioning as an adjective meaning “delayed.”
🗨In Conversation
Los vuelos están retrasados.
The flights are delayed.
¿Cuánto tiempo tendremos que esperar?
How long will we have to wait?
✕Common Mistakes
Los vuelos son retrasados.
Use estar, not ser, for temporary conditions like a delay.
Los vuelos está retrasado.
Do not use the singular form with a plural subject; the adjective must agree in gender and number.
↔Alternatives
Los aviones tienen retraso.
The planes have a delay.
Hay retraso en los vuelos.
There is a delay in the flights.
Los vuelos se han retrasado.
The flights have been delayed.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking airports the public address system will announce delays using the verb estar (e.g., “Los vuelos están retrasados”). The phrase is neutral and works in both formal announcements and informal chats. Remember that retrasado can also describe a person who is habitually late, so context matters.