reprimir
“reprimir” means “to suppress” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to suppress, to hold back
Also: to stifle
📝 In Action
Tuve que reprimir las ganas de llorar.
B1I had to hold back the urge to cry.
Ella siempre reprime sus sentimientos.
B2She always suppresses her feelings.
Reprimió un bostezo durante la aburrida presentación.
B2He stifled a yawn during the boring presentation.
to quell, to put down
📝 In Action
El ejército reprimió la rebelión en pocos días.
C1The army quelled the rebellion in a few days.
Es ilegal reprimir las protestas pacíficas.
C1It is illegal to suppress peaceful protests.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: reprimir
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'reprimir' in an emotional context?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'reprimere', where 're-' means 'back' and 'premere' means 'to press'. It literally means to press something back down.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'reprimir' always negative?
Not necessarily. While it often implies struggle, reprimir a yawn or a sneeze is just a matter of social etiquette.
What is the difference between 'reprimir' and 'suprimir'?
Reprimir is to hold something back that still exists (like an emotion). Suprimir is to eliminate or delete it entirely (like a law or a document).
Can I use 'reprimir' for physical pressure?
No, if you want to say 'press a button' or 'press a shirt,' use 'presionar' or 'planchar.' Reprimir is only for stopping actions or feelings.