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reciben

rreh-SEE-behn/reˈsiβen/

“reciben” means “they receive” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

they receive, you all receive

Also: they get
VerbA1regular ir
Two people smiling as they are handed a large, brightly wrapped gift box.
gerundrecibiendo
past Participlerecibido
infinitiverecibir

📝 In Action

Ellos reciben muchos correos electrónicos cada día.

A1

They receive many emails every day.

Ustedes reciben un descuento especial hoy.

A1

You all get a special discount today.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • reciben noticias – they get news
  • reciben regalos – they receive gifts

they welcome

Also: they see
VerbA2regular ir
A friendly person standing in an open doorway with arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture.
gerundrecibiendo
past Participlerecibido
infinitiverecibir

📝 In Action

Mis tíos siempre reciben a sus invitados con una gran cena.

A2

My aunt and uncle always welcome their guests with a big dinner.

Los médicos reciben a los pacientes por la mañana.

B1

The doctors see the patients in the morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • acogen (they welcome/shelter)
  • atienden (they attend to/assist)

Antonyms

  • despachan (they dismiss/send away)

Common Collocations

  • reciben visitas – they have visitors

Idioms & Expressions

  • recibir con los brazos abiertos – To welcome someone very warmly

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecibieran
yorecibiera
túrecibieras
vosotrosrecibierais
nosotrosrecibiéramos
él/ella/ustedrecibiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesreciban
yoreciba
túrecibas
vosotrosrecibáis
nosotrosrecibamos
él/ella/ustedreciba

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecibieron
yorecibí
túrecibiste
vosotrosrecibisteis
nosotrosrecibimos
él/ella/ustedrecibió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecibían
yorecibía
túrecibías
vosotrosrecibíais
nosotrosrecibíamos
él/ella/ustedrecibía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesreciben
yorecibo
túrecibes
vosotrosrecibís
nosotrosrecibimos
él/ella/ustedrecibe
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "reciben" in Spanish:

they get→they receive→they see→they welcome→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: reciben

Question 1 of 2

If you say 'Mis padres reciben un paquete', what is happening?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
recibir(to receive) — Verb
recibo(receipt) — Noun
recepción(reception) — Noun
receptor(receiver/recipient) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
escribenvivenexhiben
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin verb 'recipere', which combines 're-' (back) and 'capere' (to take). It literally meant 'to take back' or 'to accept'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: receiveFrench: recevoirItalian: ricevere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'reciben' only mean getting physical objects?

No, it is used for abstract things too, like receiving news, receiving an education, or receiving a warm welcome.

Is 'reciben' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard rules for verbs ending in '-ir' in the present tense.