respectivo
“respectivo” means “respective” in Spanish (matching things to their specific owners or places).
respective
Also: particular, each one's own
📝 In Action
Los niños regresaron a sus respectivos hogares.
A2The children returned to their respective homes.
Cada pasajero debe ocupar su respectivo asiento.
B1Each passenger must occupy their respective seat.
Los científicos presentaron sus respectivos hallazgos en la conferencia.
B2The scientists presented their respective findings at the conference.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: respectivo
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'They went to their respective rooms'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'respectus', which literally means 'looking back' or 'taking into account'. It eventually grew to describe things that are looked at individually in relation to something else.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'respectivo' the same as 'respectful'?
No. In Spanish, 'respectful' is 'respetuoso'. 'Respectivo' means 'respective' (like saying 'each to their own').
Does it have a plural form?
Yes! It must match the noun it describes. If you are talking about multiple things, use 'respectivos' (masculine) or 'respectivas' (feminine).
Is it used in casual conversation?
It is a bit formal. In casual talk, people often just say 'su' or 'cada uno', but 'respectivo' is very common in news, books, and formal instructions.