arreglarvsreparar
/ah-rreh-GLAR/
/rreh-pah-RAR/
💡 Quick Rule
Arreglar = to fix, tidy, or arrange. Reparar = to repair something broken.
Think: Arreglar is for Arranging things (and fixing). Reparar is for Repairing damage.
- For fixing broken objects like a car or a watch, both are often used interchangeably, but 'arreglar' is more common in daily speech.
- You can 'arreglar' a situation, but you 'reparar' the damage from a situation.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | arreglar | reparar | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A broken machine | Voy a arreglar el coche. | Voy a reparar el coche. | Both are correct and mean the same. 'Arreglar' is more common and conversational; 'reparar' can sound more technical. |
| A messy room | Necesito arreglar mi habitación. | (Incorrect) 'Necesito reparar mi habitación.' | Only 'arreglar' means 'to tidy up'. Using 'reparar' would imply the room has structural damage, like a hole in the wall. |
| Personal appearance | Se está arreglando el pelo. | (Incorrect) 'Se está reparando el pelo.' | 'Arreglarse' is used for getting ready (hair, makeup, clothes). 'Reparar' is never used for a person's appearance. |
| A misunderstanding | Tenemos que arreglar esto. | Tenemos que reparar el daño. | 'Arreglar' is used to 'sort out' a situation. 'Reparar' focuses on fixing the specific 'damage' caused by the situation. |
✅ When to Use "arreglar" / reparar
arreglar
To fix, arrange, tidy up, or sort out. It's a broad, flexible verb for putting things in order.
/ah-rreh-GLAR/
Fixing something that doesn't work
Tengo que arreglar la impresora.
I have to fix the printer.
Tidying or organizing a space
Voy a arreglar mi cuarto este fin de semana.
I'm going to tidy my room this weekend.
Getting ready or improving one's appearance (reflexive)
Me estoy arreglando para la fiesta.
I'm getting ready for the party.
Solving a problem or 'sorting things out'
No te preocupes, yo lo arreglo.
Don't worry, I'll sort it out.
reparar
To repair something that is physically broken, damaged, or has stopped working.
/rreh-pah-RAR/
Repairing mechanical or electronic items
El técnico vino a reparar el aire acondicionado.
The technician came to repair the air conditioning.
Mending physical damage
Necesitan reparar la carretera después del bache.
They need to repair the road after the pothole.
Fixing a specific part of something
Hay que reparar la fuga de agua.
We have to repair the water leak.
Making amends for harm (more formal)
Es difícil reparar la confianza perdida.
It's difficult to repair lost trust.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "arreglar":
Voy a arreglar la oficina.
I'm going to tidy up the office.
With "reparar":
Voy a reparar la oficina.
I'm going to repair the office.
The Difference: 'Arreglar' means organizing papers and cleaning. 'Reparar' means the office itself is damaged—perhaps fixing a broken window or a leaky ceiling.
With "arreglar":
Tenemos que arreglar las cosas.
We need to sort things out.
With "reparar":
Tenemos que reparar nuestra relación.
We need to repair our relationship.
The Difference: 'Arreglar las cosas' is a common, conversational phrase for fixing a problem between people. 'Reparar la relación' is more formal and serious, implying significant damage was done.
🎨 Visual Comparison
'Arreglar' can be tidying up, while 'reparar' is for fixing something broken.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Voy a reparar mi cuarto antes de que lleguen los invitados.
Voy a arreglar mi cuarto antes de que lleguen los invitados.
When you mean 'to tidy up' or 'organize', always use 'arreglar'. 'Reparar' is only for fixing something that is physically broken.
Me tengo que reparar para la cena.
Me tengo que arreglar para la cena.
To talk about getting yourself ready (doing hair, makeup, getting dressed), use the reflexive form 'arreglarse'. 'Reparar' is never used for this.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Arreglar vs Reparar
Question 1 of 3
Which verb would you use to say 'I'm going to get ready for the meeting'?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I always use 'arreglar' instead of 'reparar'?
In many cases, yes, especially in casual conversation when talking about fixing a broken object. 'Arreglar' is a safe, general-purpose 'fix' verb. However, you can't use 'reparar' for the other meanings of 'arreglar', like tidying up or getting ready.
Is there another common word for 'to fix' in Spanish?
Yes, 'componer' is also very common, especially in some regions like Mexico. It works much like 'arreglar' and 'reparar' for fixing broken things. For example, 'Necesito componer mi teléfono' (I need to get my phone fixed).