Inklingo
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A sudden bolt of lightning striking a clear blue sky.

repentino

reh-pen-TEE-noh

adjectivemB1
sudden?happening quickly and unexpectedly
Also:abrupt?a sharp or sudden change,unexpected?something not foreseen

📝 In Action

Hubo un cambio repentino en el clima.

A2

There was a sudden change in the weather.

Sintió un dolor repentino en la pierna.

B1

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

Su decisión fue muy repentina.

B1

Her decision was very sudden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • gradual (gradual)
  • previsto (foreseen/expected)

Common Collocations

  • muerte repentina – sudden death
  • ataque repentino – sudden attack
  • silencio repentino – sudden silence

💡 Grammar Points

Matching Gender and Number

The word changes to 'repentina' for feminine words (la idea repentina) and adds an 's' for plurals (cambios repentinos).

Word Order

This word usually comes after the person or thing you are describing, like 'un ruido repentino' (a sudden noise).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Repentino' with 'De Repente'

Mistake: "Saying 'Fue muy de repente' to mean 'It was very sudden.'"

Correction: Use 'repentino' when you need an adjective to describe a noun. Use 'de repente' when you want to say 'suddenly' (the action happened fast).

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Event

Use this word when you want to emphasize that an event caught everyone off guard or happened in a split second.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: repentino

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly describes a 'sudden noise'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

repentinamente(suddenly) - adverb
de repente(suddenly / all of a sudden) - phrase

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'repentino' and 'súbito'?

They are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Repentino' is more common in everyday speech, while 'súbito' can sound slightly more formal or literary.

Can I use 'repentino' for people?

Generally, no. We use 'repentino' to describe events, changes, or feelings (like a sudden pain), not a person's personality.