repetir
/reh-peh-TEER/
repeat
Repetir (to repeat): Saying something again.
repetir(verb)
repeat
?saying something again
,do again
?performing an action again
reiterate
?formal speech
📝 In Action
El profesor tuvo que repetir las instrucciones tres veces.
A2The teacher had to repeat the instructions three times.
Por favor, repite lo que dijiste, no te escuché bien.
A1Please, repeat what you said, I didn't hear you well.
No quiero repetir los mismos errores.
B1I don't want to repeat the same mistakes.
💡 Grammar Points
The E > I Stem Change
In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem of 'repetir' changes to 'i' in all forms except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. Remember: repito, but repetimos.
Preterite Change
Even the simple past (preterite) has a change! The third person singular and plural forms change the 'e' to 'i': repitió (he/she repeated) and repitieron (they repeated).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo repeto"
Correction: Yo repito. The verb needs the E changing to I, just like 'pedir' (to ask for).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'de nuevo'
You can strengthen the meaning by adding 'de nuevo' (again), although 'repetir' already implies it: 'Vamos a repetir el experimento de nuevo.'
Repetir (to repeat): Repeating a year or course in school.
repetir(verb)
repeat
?a year/course in school
,retake
?an exam or class
📝 In Action
Si no apruebas este examen, tendrás que repetir el curso.
B1If you don't pass this exam, you will have to repeat the course.
Nadie quiere repetir un año en la escuela.
B1Nobody wants to repeat a year in school.
💡 Grammar Points
Transitive Use
In this context, 'repetir' almost always needs a direct object (what is being repeated): 'Repetir el examen' or 'Repetir la clase'.
Repetir (to taste again): When the flavor of food comes back up.
repetir(verb)
taste again
?when food flavor comes back up (informal)
,burp up
?often used to mean feeling acidic/gassy
regurgitate
?formal/medical
📝 In Action
Comí muchos frijoles y ahora me están repitiendo.
B2I ate a lot of beans and now they are making me burp/I can taste them again.
Ese chile me repite todo el día.
B2That chili tastes again (comes back up) all day long.
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Use for Food
When referring to food coming back up or causing gas, you must use the reflexive form (repetirse). The food item is usually the subject, not the person.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Subject
Mistake: "Yo me repito (I repeat myself)"
Correction: La comida me repite (The food repeats on me). The food is doing the action, not the person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Food Context
This meaning is specific to digestion. If you say 'Me repito,' it usually means 'I am repeating myself' (Definition 1), unless the context is clearly about a meal.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: repetir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the E > I stem change correctly in the present tense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'volver a hacer' the same as 'repetir'?
Yes, they are very similar! 'Volver a + infinitive' (to return to doing something) is a common alternative. For example, 'Vuelve a leer el texto' (Read the text again) means the same as 'Repite la lectura del texto.'
How do I use 'repetir' in the imperative (giving commands)?
Remember the stem change! For a familiar command, you say '¡Repite!' (Repeat!). For a formal command (usted), you say '¡Repita!' (Repeat!).